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KKV. AI.KKKI) BAGBY, D. D. 

Columbian College, Washington. U. C. (now George Washing-ton 
University), 1847; Princeton Theological Seniinarj-, 1850-51. 



FRONTISPllCg 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 



KING AND QUEEN 76f 
COUNTY, VIRGINIA 



By 



Rev. Alfred Bagby, A.B., D.D. 



ILLUSTRATED 




NEW YORK AND WASHINGTON 

THE NEALE PUBLISHING COMPANY 

1908 



r^"^*^ 

^(^-3-^ 



LI6«ARY ot CUNiiSE3;$' 
Iwo GODies Keteiveci 

JUN 24 1908 

c6t'Y ;i. 



Copyright, 1908, by 
ALFRED BAGBY 



To the gentle woman who for thirty-four years sat by 
my side, shared my joys and my sorrows, and nurtured 
my children; who for all these years has been an inspira- 
tion in mind and heart and life — 

SARAH JANE ( POLLARD ) BAGBY 

this book is affectionately dedicated by the author. 



FOREWORD 

The planting and growth of a group of people in a 
new country is always an interesting story. It is re- 
grettable, however, that great difficulties usually em- 
barrass such a narrative; for a people in the process 
of rapid development oftener than otherwise permit the 
most essential facts in their history to drift into the 
limbo of the lost. And in addition to this common neg- 
lect, there has come upon the people of this county a 
civil war, destroying her most valuable public and pri- 
vate records. 

But the author has made great compensation for the 
loss of so much original information by the diligence 
of his research and the faithful arrangement of his 
findings. His pages unfold before our eyes the pioneer 
settlement of this territory; its subsequent formation 
into the political division known as a county; the orderly 
development of this people under the law, customs, 
religion, and social life of a real English community; 
the names of many individuals and families who have 
added substance, culture, dignity, and luster to a brave 
and refined people; the arrest and almost overthrow of 
this civilization by a disastrous war; and the subse- 
quent resumption of communal life under radically 
changed social and economic conditions. 

This narrative will be of grateful and affectionate 
interest to the sons and daughters of this noble old 
county, and to Virginians everywhere; and, in after 
years, to those seeking information for a larger history 
of our race on these new shores. 

A. J. MONTAGNE. 

Richmond, April 13, 1908. 



PREFACE 

The author has long since ceased to look for perfec- 
tion in any production that is merely human, — much less 
can he make such claim for himself. The most anyone 
can claim is to approximate his own ideals. Our attempt 
has been to tell the truth, the whole attainable truth, and 
nothing but the truth ; but we are mindful that the truth 
is not always the easiest thing to find, nor, when found, is 
it very easy to state it in a manner at once clear and 
attractive. 

We are not conscious of any sinister thought, cer- 
tainly not of any commercial thought, in the preparation 
of this volume. It has cost no little of time, expense, 
and labor, but it has been a labor of love. Himself a 
native of King and Queen, it has been his aim to set 
forth what he has seen and known of the nobility of the 
men and women it has sent forth as a legacy to the world. 
Omissions often and mistakes many will be observed, 
unavoidable from the inception, and for reasons but too 
obvious. Three times have the county records been 
swept away by fire, once during the Civil War. This 
is so disastrous that consecutive and detailed history of 
courts, transfers of real estate, and even county officers, 
is impossible. Hence much of our story is scrappy and 
fragmentary. I imagine that a parallel can hardly be 
found in the State. 

The county is among the smaller ones, with no great 
fertility of soil; moreover, we are an isolated people 
with no great facilities for trading. The most that we 
can boast is in the character of our men and women, 
their culture, refinement, virtue, and devotion to reli- 
gious ideals. 

It has been my desire and ambition to do ample jus- 
tice to every section of our county. I could have no mo- 
tive possible to my discernment to do otherwise. As 
my own life has been in the middle section, things there 
have come more readily to my mind. 



8 PREFACE 

From my boyhood the Baptists have been predomi- 
nant here. Every effort has been made to override all 
partiality to them. If some find their family names left 
out, it is surely not by design. Good men are not always 
responsive to appeals for family history and genealogy. 
An author is quite helpless in such matters. Even an 
honest man cannot write a history without data, nor 
ought he. The larger space given to the Clarks, the 
Civil War, etc., is not unfair, for they naturally and 
reasonably deserve a larger place in the public eye. 

Anent the Colonial church, — the Church of England, 
— every possible effort has been made to get a represen- 
tation worthy and satisfactory for our volume, but in 
vain. The author is greatly indebted to Hon. H. R. 
Pollard, Col. A. F. Fleet, Judges J. G. Dew, T. R. B. 
Wright, Charles T. Bagby, Esq., B. H. Wallcer, M. D., 
John Pollard, D. D., and notably also to W. H. Whit- 
sitt, LL. D., for words of cheer and valued aid in 
various directions. 

A. Bagby. 



INTRODUCTION 

One of the happiest signs of the times is the awaken- 
ing of the historic sense among our people. Much of the 
material of history goes to waste in every country; but 
in our Southern country a larger amount of it has been 
lost than in some others. We have been more solicitous 
to make history than to record and preserve it when 
made. Possibly that is true of every community at cer- 
tain stages of its progress and development. In recent 
years a marked degree of interest has been aroused. 
The indifference of former years has passed away. That 
is one of the best features of the new day that has 
dawned upon us. Men are glad to cultivate a knowl- 
edge of families, municipalities, counties. States, and the 
whole country. 

The county of King and Queen is truly ancient and 
honorable, and it is a concern to many people in many 
sections that its history should be collected and set in 
order. But there are certain obstacles in the way of 
such a consummation. The public records of the county 
have been destroyed by fire on more than one occasion. 
This is an incalculable loss. There are other sources of 
information, but none of these are so extensive and 
reliable as those once to be found in the clerk's office at 
the courthouse. 

My honored friend, the Rev. Dr. Bagby, has devoted 
his attention for many years to the annals of King and 
Queen. He is sensible of the disadvantages under which 
he must labor, but he possesses a laudable ambition to 
preserve the things that remain, and to transmit an ac- 
count of them to posterity. He is a diligent and careful 
student, and his interest in the subject has been earnest 
and continued for many years. I have enjoyed an op- 
portunity to read over a portion of his work, and I 
consider it a very valuable and important contribution. 
I rejoice that he has decided to commit it to the press.. 



10 INTRODUCTION 

He will thereby render an excellent public service, and 
besides will perpetuate his own name for generations 
to come, by linking it with the history and fortunes of 
one of the most venerable and noble communities in our 
country. 

William H. Whitsitt. 

Richmond College, 
September 12, 1907. 



CONTENTS 

PART I 

THE people: their homes, ways, works, worships 

CHAPTER PAGE 

I: Geographical Location — Antecedents — James- 
town Settlement I7 

II: Progress and Expansion from Jamestown — Ori- 
gin of King and Queen's County ... 21 

III: Resources, Climate, etc 26 

IV: George Rogers Clark: his Nativity and his 

Exploits 35 

V: Legislative Action Concerning the Formation, 
and Intended to Advance the Interest, of the 
County of King and Queen — Henning's 

" Statutes at Large " 42 

VI: Church Houses and Old Homes .... 56 
VII: Religious Denominations 9^ 

PART II 

CIVIL WAR ANNALS 



VIII: The War Starts— The Home Guard . . 
IX : Rosters of King and Queen County in the Civi 

War 

X: War Records, Letters, and Diaries . . 
XI: From Richmond to Appomattox . 
XII : Historical Address by J. Ryland, Sr. . . 



129 

139 
149 
192 
223 



12 CONTENTS 

PART III 

DOMESTIC AND SOCIAL 
CHAPTER PAGE 

XII: Selections from the Poems of King and Queen. 241 
XIII: Two Men Deserving to be Remembered, and a 

Boy sent on an Errand 254 

XIV: Life on the Old Plantation 260 

XV: Colored People of King and Queen County . 277 

PART IV 

MISCELLANIES 

XVI: Family and Individual Records .... 289 

XVII: Genealogies 322 

XVIII: Fragments 364 



ILLUSTRATIONS 

Rev. Alfred Bagby, D.D Frontispiece 

FACING PAGE 

Map of King and Queen County i8 

Col. John Pollard 42 

Lower Church of St. Stevens Parish ... 62 

Col. J. C. Councill 86 

Hon. J. H. C. Jones 116 

Sketch Showing Location Where Home Guards 

OF King and Queen County Attacked Col. 

Dahlgren's Command 134 

Capt. Edward Campbell Fox 140 

Dahlgren's Corner 150 

Miss Sarah Jane Pollard (Mrs. Alfred Bagby) 242 

Mr. John Bagby 260 

Thomas Roane Dew 300 

Col. Samuel F. Harwood 316 

Bell Air 354 



PART I 

THE PEOPLE: THEIR HOMES, WAYS, 
WORKS, WORSHIPS 



CHAPTER I 

GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION ANTECEDENTS JAMES- 

TOW.N SETTLEMENT 

King and Queen is one of the tide-water counties of 
Virginia, lying at its southeastern extremity, only some 
forty miles from Chesapeake Bay. It adjoins the coun- 
ties of Caroline, Essex, Middlesex, Gloucester, and 
King William, being separated from the latter by the 
Mattapony River. It lies on the northeastern shore of 
the York and Mattapony Rivers. No student of this 
portion of Virginia will fail to observe that all the east- 
ern portion of the State is cut up into several narrow 
strips — here called " necks " — by certain great rivers. 
The dividing rivers are these: The Blackwater (a 
branch of the Meherrin), James, York, Rappahannock, 
and Potomac. The intervening necks are four, to wit: 
beginning on the south, that of which Norfolk, Ports- 
mouth, and Suffolk are central points; (2) that of 
Jamestown, Yorktown, Williamsburg; (3) the neck 
of Gloucester, King and Queen, etc.; (4) that which is 
universally known as the " northern neck." To be yet 
more distinct : we have the neck between the Blackwater 
and the James; that between the James and the York; 
that between the York and the Rappahannock; and 
lastly, that between the Rappahannock and the Potomac. 
Some future historian may disport himself in re- 
counting the glories of each of these, and find a most 
useful and enjoyable field. 

I. Norfolk and Portsmouth will deserve superlative 

praise. 2. Jamestown, Yorktown, and Williamsburg 

speak for themselves, as being the cradle of the infant 

colony and the home of Pocahontas, the white man's 

I only friend; and as furnishing, in the main, the scenes of 

I the exploits of that remarkable man. Captain John 

/ Smith, who in the space of barely two years and five 



18 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

months, almost by his single hand, saved the uncertain 
colony time and again from starvation and from the 
deadly tomahawk, and brought order out of chaos. 

That wonderful little section of our State called 
" Northern Neck," is known the world over as the an- 
cestral home of Washington, Madison, Monroe, and 
last, but not least, of the Lees, — among them that peer- 
less citizen and soldier, Robert E. Lee. 

This scant justice to our sisters of the other " necks " 
must suffice; our task is humbler. "Neck" No. 3, as 
above indicated, is subdivided longitudinally by a small 
stream, known near the Bay as Piankitank, while higher 
up it is nicknamed, with no regard to fitness, the 
" Dragon." This stream rises at a point some seventy 
miles from the Bay and flows down, first between Essex 
and King and Queen, and lower down between Middle- 
sex and the latter county. The sluggish, fever-breeding 
stream might give ingress to steamers, and its banks 
might feed a large population if properly opened up. 
We thus locate the county of King and Queen as lying 
between the York and Mattapony on the south, and the 
Dragon (Piankitank) on the north. 

The county, taking the Courthouse as its central 
point, is approximately in the same latitude, to the east- 
ward, with Accomac across the Bay, Gibraltar, the re- 
nowned fortress at the entrance of the Mediterranean, 
and Athens, the venerable city of Greece; and with San 
Francisco and Yokohama to the west. The 77th de- 
gree of longitude west of Greenwich, passes through 
Ottawa (Canada), Washington city, and central King 
and Queen; it then passes southward through eastern 
North Carolina into the ocean, and crossing the Carib- 
bean Sea, strikes the eastern end of the Isthmus of 
Panama, where is soon to be opened up the gateway 
between the two oceans. The county is one hundred 
miles south of Washington, thirty-six miles east-north- 
east from Richmond, forty miles northwest from James- 
town site, and fifty miles from the Bay. 

The following names represented at Jarnestown in 
1608-9, are given on page 131 of Smith's History: 
Smith, Behethland, Powell, Russell, Chashaw, Sickel- 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 19 

more, Worlie, Todkill, Lone, Bentley, Shortrldge, 
Pising, Ward, Persie, West, Phetiplace, Profit, Ford,* 
Abbott, Tankard, Yarrington, Bourne, Burton, Colonel 
Dods, Brinton, Peacocke, Powell, Ellis, GIpson, Prat, 
Acrigyl, Read, Hancock, Wotton, Brooke, Nelson, Tyn- 
dall, Colson, Watk^ns^ Fitch, Poole, Markham, Crad- 
dock, Brown, ""^anoway, Clarke, Skinner, Deale, 
Anthony, Baggly (Sergeant), Lambert, Pising (Ser- 
geant) , and others. 

From Vol. II of the same history, at page 549, we 
obtain the following list of Jamestown settlers in 162-j: 
Aston, Ashley, Archer, Anthony, Allen (4). An- 
drews, Abbot, Askew, Bowles, Button, Banks, Barber, 
Bonham, Brewster, Brooke, Bond, Beadle, Boone, 
Barnes, Badger, Britton, Bishop, Baron, Baker, Burley, 
Bromley, Barker, Bennett, Brewster, Bullock, Bayly, 
Butler, Bulton, Baker, Beak, Bell, Blount, Cary, Cal- 
vert, Cecil, Corr, Chamberlaine, Cox, Cooper, Collins, 
Church, Camp, Cambel, Cooke, Conway, Cage, Cave, 
Crow, Chester, Cromwell, Drewry, Diggs, Dale,- 
Denton, Dunn, Davis, Dobson^ Dye, Drake, Dyke, 
Evans, Elkton, Finche, Farmer, Fox, Forrest, Far- 
rar. Field, Francis, Fuller, Fleet (William), Gray, 
Gates, Gardner, Gilbert, Grave, Greene, Gore, Har- 
ris, Hicks, Hart, Hanson, Hill, Hinton, Hancock, 
Holt, Huntley, Harwood, Howell, Henshaw, Hooker, 
Hicks, Jones, Johnson, Toby, Jackson, Leigh, Lay- 
son, .Martin, Moore, Miller, Oliver, Pit, Row, Rob- 
inson, Roy, Robins, Rolfe, Roberts, Smith, Spencer, 
Shelton, Scott, Shelley, Stone, Shipley, Shepherd, Ste- 
vens, Tracy, Turner, Tucker, Taylor, Thornton, Watts, 
Watson, Wilson, West, Webb, White, Westwood, 
Wright, Walker, Winne, Wilmer, Wood, Wells, 
Wheeler, Ward, Waller, Sir George Yeardley (Gov- 
ernor) , etc. 

The following names are taken from the old land 
books as those of settlers at Jamestown, from 1625 to 
1670: Lasy, Spencer, Gather, Matheman, Cooke, 
Nelson, Hill, Powell, Woodyard, Yeardley, Combes, 
Hitchcock, Arundell, Grimes, Lyon, Younge, David- 
son, Sharpless, Davies, Sands, Pierce, Hedges, Willard, 



20 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

Moulston, Farmer, Lightfoot, Smith, Reuse, Gill, Cart- 
right, Austin, Bricke, Rabenet, Andrews, Alder, Evere, 
Negar, Pott, Townsend, Leister, Kalloway, Hewlett, 
Dickinson, Taylor, Sutton, Maericke, Rolfe, Lawson, 
Fouler, Waller, Boothe, Hamor, Clement, Langley, 
Greene, Addums, Ratcliffe, Gibson, Fremason, Pontes, 
Clarke, Raynolds, Hichmore, Riddall, Goldsmith, Gaill, 
Howell, Ashly, Blaney, Hudson, Hartley, Shelley, Bew, 
Ward, Mentis, Whitemore, Chauntree, Sheppard, Saw- 
ier, Danfort, Loyd, Orthway, Crouch, Starkey, Perry, 
Chapman, Granco, Snow, Isgraw, Ascomb, Buck, Por- 
ter, Jackson, Barrows, Scritten, Pasmore, Jeffreys, 
Hibbs, Duke, Hinton, Stephens, Rayner, Price, Spilman, 
Cawt, Man ify,- Holmes, Caleker, Sherwood, West, Bar- 
ker, Scott, Carn, Hartl, Spalding, Hellin, Gray, Oc- 
bourn. Pope, Constable, Jones, Johnson, Hall, Cooksey, 
Kean, Fitts, Reddish, Smallwood, Gicen, Southey, 
Painter, Webb, Gravett, Glover, Adams, Spence, 
Tooke, Roberts, Harlow, Sharke, Lect, Bennett. 

Conjectural numbers of Indians in 1607 within sixty 
miles of Jamestown, 8,000. 

Jamestown census: 1607, 100 to 120; 1608, 70 to 
130; 1610, 200; 1617, 400; 1622, 3800; 1628, 3000. 



CHAPTER II 

PROGRESS AND EXPANSION FROM JAMESTOWN — 
ORIGIN OF KING AND QUEEN COUNTY 

It is easy to see how, by and by, there came a move- 
ment out from Jamestown to form settlements at various 
points around, the Indians, of course, receding before 
the whites. Under the impulse of their Saxon blood, 
men moved out and made new homes for themselves up 
the James, along Hampton Roads, across the Bay, and 
on the various rivers emptying into the Bay. It must be 
remembered that locomotion in that day was much easier 
and safer by water than by land. 

Back, northward and westward from Jamestown, lay 
a vast wilderness trodden only by savages and wild 
beasts, while not infrequently the former awaited with 
his tomahawk or arrow any roaming white man. Thus 
it came about that even to pass through this boundless 
waste was perilous. On the other hand, it was easy to 
take a boat and row down the river, and through the 
adjacent waters. Indeed, Captain Smith, within the 
short space of less than two and a half years had largely 
explored the waters of the James, the York, the Rap- 
pahannock,* and the Potomac, and Chickahominy and 

* John Smith, the colonist, was born in Lincolnshire, England, 1579; 
captured on Chickahominy, December, 1607; president of Council, 
1608; saved the colony again and again from starvation by getting 
food from natives. He was painfully hurt by the sting of a stingray 
at the mouth of the Rappahannock, and soon after seriously wounded 
by an explosion of powder in a boat on James River, and sailed for 
England in October, 1609. He had just settled West's Colony at Pow- 
hatan, which he bought from that chief. Died 1631. Powhatan's do- 
main extended from the Potomac south to the North Carolina line, and 
as high as the falls of rivers. This territory of Powhatan com- 
prehended about 8,000 square miles, 30 tribes, and 2,400 warriors. Capt. 
Smith tells us there were 5,000 Indians within 6a miles of Jamestown, 
of whom 1,500 were fighting men. At first Powhatan held to Falls of 
river; subdivided (p. 387). James River to Patuxent was a patri- 
archial confederacy, each chief having his own council and council 
house. Beyond Powhatan's were the Matoacans and Manakins con- 
federacies — all east of the Alleghenies. (Jefferson's Notes, pp. 143, 387.) 

21 



22 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

the Bay up to its northern extremity. These several 
waters gave welcome admittance to the new settlers, and 
thus the river shores were first preempted, and now be- 
gan to be settled. 

The York River was less than ten miles north from 
Jamestown in a direct line, and this naturally was 
among the first after the banks of the James, to be 
settled. About the year 1628 there was an under- 
standing between the whites and the red men that 
York River was to be a dividing line between the 
two; the Indians holding the north bank, and the whites 
the south, and this line was reestablished in 1646. 

About this time, that crafty, uncompromising enemy 
of the whites, Opecancanough, chief of the Chickahom- 
inies, second in succession from Powhatan, moved his 
headquarters across the river to a point only some five 
miles obliquely across from the present West Point, and 
stationed himself on the soil of King and Queen, at a 
point called Matoax, or Mascot. The arrangement thus 
entered into could not stand against the Saxon blood, 
and the whites soon overran the line. Then the north 
bank of the York was occupied and held. 



EARLY SETTLERS 

We give the following names of settlers in that region, 
on the soil of the present King and Queen County, 
drawn from the antiquated books now in the land office 
in Richmond, counting from the year 1625 onward: 

Major William Nash, Major William Lewis, Dr. 
Giles Mode, Anthony Haynes, Wyatt, Hodson, Loane, 
Chapman, Pigge, Colonel Nathaniel Bacon (Arioceo 
Swamp), Lockey, Austin, Peck, Diggs, Richard Harri- 
son, Mozey, Birch (Hartquake Creek), Morris, Biggs, 
Hugh Roye, Jennings, James, Brund, Sexton, Wood- 
ward, Fuzey, Michel, Robert Pollard (near L. Creek), 
Clayborne, William Anderson (Poropotank Creek), 
Butler (Hartquake Swamp), Captain Thomas Byne- 
ton, Holmes, Williams (on Bestland, a branch of 
Piankitank), Robert Bagbie (1672), (joined Skipwith 
and Chapman), Robert Bagby (above tide, joined 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 23 

Pigge and Hall, 1673), Henden, Key, Captain Law- 
rence Smith, Lieutenant-Colonel John Smith, Lightfoot, 
Roystin, Lewis, Hall (on Mattapony), Captain Robert 
Beverly, Garratt (Hartquake Creek), Mich, Robin- 
son, Style, Story, Jones, Robert Spencer (joined Ed. 
Diggs), Captain Jacob Lumpkin (1682), Leigh, Madi- 
son (joined to Robert Bagbie, Miles, and Chamberlaine, 
near " Mantapike Path"), Colonel Richard Johnson, 
Echols, Bowden, Thomas Todd, Eastham, Taylor, 
Neal, Muire, Lane, Key, McKenney, Ed. Gresham (on 
Exall Swamp), Story. 

1664, John Fleet, 1662, William and John Clarke, 
1682, Thomas Harwood, John Clarke, Williams, 
Rogers, and Shackelford; 1693, William Todd, Robert 
Bird, Captain Joshua Story, Zackery Lewis; 1695, Ed. 
Gutharie, Alexander Campbell, Colonel Ed. Hill, 
Colonel Richard Johnson, Jennings, Carlton, Fox, Bay- 
lor, Watkins, Ware, Didlake, Pynes, Gardaner, Dun- 
bar, Lyne, Thompson, Truman, William Bird, Gardner 
(Exall Swamp), Kemp, Temple, Roane, Grain, Cap- 
tain William Fleet, Rowe, Dunn, Temple, Reuben 
Garrett, Charles Hill, Bayler, Temple. 

Campbell's " History of Virginia " gives the follow- 
ing estimated population of Virginia for the various 
years, and other information of interest relating to King 
and Queen County: 

1609 — 60 (reduced by disease and casualties). 

1625 — 1500 (after massacre of March, 1622). 
These scattered over seventeen or eighteen places on 
James River. They had cattle, hogs, horses, and fowls 
now. Houses palisaded (p. 181). 

When James I. died in 1625 there were only a few 
cabins in Richmond and nearly the whole colony was on 
James River and in Accomac. 

1632 — Williamsburg was settled, being at first the 
home of only one family. 

1642 — Berkeley came to Virginia. 

1646 — York River the boundary (p. 205). 

1648 — 15,000, and 300 slaves (p. 205). 

1 70 1 — 40,000; (Connecticut, 30,000; Maryland, 



24 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

25,000; Massachusetts, 70,000; New York, 30,000) 
(p. 362). 

1 6 19 — Women imported, and husband to pay 120 
pounds of tobacco; negroes also imported. Taxation 
by consent (p. 146) . 

1634 — Captain Henry Fleet (pp. 185, 190). 

1663 — John and Theodore Bland (p. 264). 

1664 — Captain Dudley Diggs (p. 460). 

1646 — Rev. Steth, author of "Virginia History," 
lived at Varina, where Rolfe and Pocahontas had lived. 

1664 — John Robinson, Speaker and Treasurer for 
twenty-five years; "Of cultivated mind and polished 
manners." Christopher Robinson on the Rappahan- 
nock, his grandfather was nephew of an English Bishop. 
The Speaker's father, John M. Beverly (pp. 535, 547). 

1733 — A horse worth $50.00, cow and calf $3.60 

1775 — Governor Dunmore's Council — Rev. P. Nel- 
son, Page, Byrd, G. Corbin, Sr. and Jr. Richard Cor- 
bin was Deputy Receiver-General. 

1782 — Population, 567,614. 

ORIGIN OF THE COUNTY 

In the year 1634 the territory held by the Colony 
was divided into nine shires — James City, Charles City, 
Elizabeth City, York, Warwick, Henrico, Accomac, 
Nansemond, and Isle of Wight. In 1654 a county was 
formed from York, extending west to the headwaters of 
Mattapony and Pamunky Rivers, to be called New Kent. 
In 1 69 1 another county was formed from the shire of 
New Kent, including what is now King William, King 
and Queen, and perhaps the whole of Caroline and 
Spottsylvania, to be called King and Queen. The ori- 
gin of the name is told in the following narrative: 

In the beginning of the year 1688, James II., a son 
of the Charles who was beheaded by Cromwell and the 
Parliament, was reigning monarch in England. To 
him the Virginia Colony was loyal — it was always loyal. 
In November of that same year, William and Mary — 
the latter the King's own daughter — came over from 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 25 

Holland to England to claim the Crown against James, 
who had grown selfish and despotic. On July i (o. s.) , 
1690, a great battle was fought beside the River Boyne, 
in eastern Ireland, between the forces of James and 
those led by his son-in-law. It resulted in a victory for 
the latter, and William and Mary became joint sover- 
eigns of the realm. The new county, being organized 
in the following year, was named for these illustrious 
personages. King and Queen. 

It must be borne in mind that at this early date the 
population on the upper waters was quite sparse, and 
the Courthouse of the new county was located where 
it now stands. 



CHAPTER III 

RESOURCES, CLIMATE, ETC. 

The following statistics of the agricultural and horti- 
cultural advantages of the county are compiled from 
memoranda prepared by the author in 1888, by request 
of Committee of the Agricultural Society of Virginia. 
They were designated to accompany an exhibit of county 
resources at the Virginia State Fair at the City of Rich- 
mond, in October of that year. 

RELATIVE POSITION AND POPULATION 

The county is part of the neck of land between the 
York and Rappahannock rivers, fifty miles from Chesa- 
peake Bay, thirty-five north of east from the city of 
Richmond, and one hundred and fifty south from Balti- 
more, with both of which it communicates by steamers 
and railroad. It is fifty miles long by ten in width, with 
a population, in 1880, of 10,502, mostly homogeneous, 
being descendants of the original settlers. 

MORALS AND CHURCHES 

Taking it as a whole, its people are among the most 
refined, cultured and moral in the State. Very little 
whisky is sold. No liquor has been sold at the county 
seat for fifteen or twenty years, and but one case of dis- 
order has been known to occur there within that time, 
and that between two belligerent colored citizens. In 
morals, our people will compare with those of any land. 

Churches are numerous. It is not too much to say 
that this is a religious people. The Sabbath is held 
sacred, and Sabbath schools are largely patronized. 
There are Baptist, Methodist, Disciples, Christadel- 
phian, and Episcopal churches. Indeed, most of the 
people are communicants in some church. 

26 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 27 

SCHOOLS 

The system of public schools, supported by the State, 
is in full play here, and they are growing in utility. 
For the session of 1887 and 1888, there were forty-four 
schools, some graded, and 2000 scholars. The county 
is noted for its educational advantages, and for the gen- 
eral attention paid to the subject. Private schools and 
academies of excellent character and for both sexes 
abound. For higher education, facilities are at hand 
equal to any demand. Teachers and systems of teach- 
ing are of high grade. One or two high schools are 
in prospect. 

HEALTH 

This, to the immigrant, is a matter of prime con- 
sideration. The robust person, blooming cheek and in- 
cident cheerfulness, and in many cases advanced age of 
our people, refute the idea that this country is unfav- 
orable to health. Indeed, our immigrants themselves 
contradict it. All tide-water sections have malaria, 
but it is by no means confined to tide-water. Timely 
precautions and watchfulness will almost uniformly pre- 
vent any trouble. It is also very much in our favor that 
typhoid fever, so common and fatal in higher climates, 
very seldom occurs here. Statistics show that the aver- 
age of life in eastern Virginia is higher than anywhere 
else in the country. 

CLIMATE 

While subject to changes incident to countries near 
the sea, though by no means limited to them, our climate 
is exempt from the extremes of heat and cold occurring 
elsewhere. The needful supply of ice for summer sel- 
dom fails, but the thermometer rarely touches zero in 
winter, or rises above 95 Fahrenheit in summer. Floods 
and cyclones, which distress and overwhelm other sec- 
tions, are almost unknown here. Occasional snows oc- 
cur in winter, giving sport to the young with sleds and 
sleighs. 



3.192 


38 to 44 


2.049 


41 to 47 


3-95 


48 to 54 


3.68 


56 to 62 


2.83 


63 to 70 


3-75 


71 to 78 


449 


77 to 82 


9.IS 


76 to 81 


4-76 


69 to 74 


4-63 


62 to 66 


2.6l 


47 to 53 


2.87 


43 to 48 



28 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

FIVE YEARS' AVERAGE OF KING AND QUEEN CLIMATE 

Rainfall, in. Temperature. 

January 

February 

March 

April 

May 

June 

July 

August 

September 

October 

November 

December 

SURFACE AND SOIL 

Lying along the Mattapony and the Dragon, and 
stretching out to the distance of from several hundred 
yards to three-fourths of a mile, are extensive tracts of 
level land, mostly light and easily cultivated. Away 
from these waters the surface is undulating, sometimes 
hilly, with large fields and forests of level lands inter- 
vening. The character and constituents of the soil vary 
locally, and it is not uncommon to see one part of a farm 
heavy and stiff, and another light; grayish clay lands 
preponderate on the ridge. A clay subsoil generally 
prevails. 

MINERALS 

Gray and blue marls abound. These have been used 
upon the lands with marked results. The deposit fre- 
quently crops out from the surface, and is dug from the 
pit and applied at small cost. These marls are rich in 
carbonate of lime, and analyze 40 to 90 per cent, pure 
lime. The beds occur often, and are seemingly inex- 
haustible. Animal bones, shells, and Indian relics, in all 
stages of decomposition, are disinterred. Large beds of 
fine white sand are also common. 

STAPLE CROPS 

Corn, wheat, oats, rye, tobacco, potatoes (Irish and 
sweet), peas, beans, and occasionally buckwheat, are the 
staples. Peanuts and other truck are growing in favor; 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 29 

sorghum and broom-corn are grown successfully. To- 
bacco raised here will compare well in quality with that 
grown elsewhere. 

LANDS PRICES AND CAPACITIES 

Owners are beginning to realize the folly of attempt- 
ing to cultivate so large an area as was in vogue here. 
Hence much land is on the market, at from $4 to $8, 
unimproved; and $8 to $20, improved; sometimes with 
a good dwelling and outhouses included. While con- 
siderable portions of these have been under cultivation, 
others lie in original forests. 

The highlands, as well as alluvial and other bottom 
lands, respond easily and well to the hand of improve- 
ment; which is the great desideratum. There are many 
cases where lands which, under the wasting process of 
years of unskilled and neglected cultivation had grown 
thin, have been made to " rejoice and blossom as the 
rose." It may seem to some incredible, but is neverthe- 
less true, that some of our lands which have been culti- 
vated one hundred years or more with almost no return 
and no rest, are yet under the plow, and yield from ten 
to twenty bushels of corn to the acre. One large farm, 
which has been worked one hundred and fifty years, with 
only one moderate application of lime, and the respective 
fields grazed alternate years, still brings some fifteen 
bushels good corn. This shows well for the subsoil and 
the general constituents of the soil, and we challenge 
comparison with other sections. It is hardly a question 
what such lands would do in the hand of the skilled and 
active agriculturist. A large body of land skirting the 
Dragon and its tributaries, would well-nigh fill the gran- 
aries of Egypt, and only awaits the capital and energy 
needed to drain it ! A company is already opening the 
stream below. 

VEGETABLES AND FRUITS 

An intelligent resident was asked, " Do you know of 
any good vegetable which cannot be successfully grown 
here? " The answer, after a moment's reflection, was. 



30 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

" No! " The answer would be very much the same as 
to fruits, excepting those of the Torrid Zone only. Of 
course, certain varieties of each are better suited to our 
soil and climate, and in the selection regard must be 
had to this. We have apples — summer, fall and winter 
varieties — peaches, pears, cherries, apricots, quinces, 
damsons, plums; blackberries, growing wild in inex- 
haustible quantities, and very salable; strawberries, rasp- 
berries, melons, and last, not least, grapes. Soil and cli- 
mate here seem specially favorable to the grape, though 
but little attention has hitherto been given to it. Yet 
it is growing in favor. 

WATER 

The abundant supply of pure, wholesome water, 
gurgling forth from almost every hillside, and readily 
accessible by wells to those who prefer it, is some- 
thing marvelous. Strangers wonder at it, and admire. 
Scarcely a farm that has not enough and to spare for 
man and beast. In some cases artesian wells have been 
bored, at a cost of from $40 to $60, and to depths 
of 150 to 400 feet, with the result that a magnificent 
stream pours clear, sparkling waters into house and kit- 
chen. The hamlet of Walkerton, alone, has eight of 
these in constant use. 

TRANSPORTATION 

Mattapony River, flowing into the York at West 
Point, is navigable for nearly the entire length of the 
county. A new steamer and sail vessels are constantly 
plying to and fro, giving ready access to Richmond, 
Norfolk, Baltimore, New York, and to foreign ports. 
From many parts of the county the Rappahannock is 
also easy of access, giving ready passage to Baltimore, 
etc. The Richmond and Chesapeake Railroad is pro- 
jected, passing through the county to a point near the 
mouth of the Potomac, and thence to points North. 

TIMBER 

Assorted specimens of some of the best growths were 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 31 

exhibited. Cypress is plentiful, affording the best shin- 
gles and weather-boarding in the world; chestnut yields 
the most durable fence-timber; black walnut is much in 
demand; oak, for railroad ties; pine, for fuel and gen- 
eral building purposes; poplar can be cut largely for the 
manufacture of paper; hickory, beech, ash, cedar, holly, 
dogwood, etc., abound. Immense quantities of these 
are annually exported, and in some cases purchasers have 
paid for their lands from this source alone. 

FACTORIES FACILITIES FOR 

A number of steam mills are engaged in cutting 
shingles, laths, and other lumber, and there is room for 
more. Grist and flour mills give us meal and flour. 
Only one iron foundry exists in the county, but there are 
a number of shops for the work of the blacksmith. Fac- 
tories for pickles and fruits are being established. 

POULTRY AND EGGS 

The demand for these Increases annually, and is often 
above the supply, though this is enormous. One mer- 
chant sold $1,500 worth of eggs in a season. Poultry 
can be made very profitable. Brahmas, Plymouth Rock, 
and other improved breeds are now being introduced, 
and will pay even better. 

STOCK 

Our horses are mostly natives of the small breeds 
common to tide-water, though the demand is increasing 
for the higher grades. Of cattle, the Jersey cow is 
highly approved. One citizen reports three and a half 
pounds of butter daily from two cows, on pasturage 
alone. Much, it is thought, is to be made in the raising 
of colts, and with improved grades we see no reason 
to doubt its success. Of hogs, large numbers are 
slaughtered annually, and our bacon is equal in juiciness 
and sweetness to the best. 

GRASSES 

Our native growth, in many instances, gives good 



32 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

grazing. Extensive tracts of marsh feed herds of cows 
and hogs, and on York River one gentleman gives no 
other feed to his cattle, even in winter, his herd subsist- 
ing and doing well on this alone. Clover, orchard 
grass, timothy, red-top and millet, succeed with neces- 
sary attention. During the present season large crops 
have been saved. One farmer, not far below us, housed 
one hundred and fifty tons, worth $12 to $15 per ton. 
This can be made a source of large revenue. 

FISHERIES 

Shad, herring, trout, pike, chub, sturgeon, and other 
varieties of fish are taken yearly, and give food and 
money to the people. From the York, on our eastern 
border, and from the Rappahannock, on the north, 
comes the succulent oyster, among the best, to our tables; 
while vast quantities are being shipped to market, and 
profitably. 

TRADE 

Our merchants buy in Baltimore and Richmond, and 
from the number of stores the trade must be heavy in the 
aggregate. Transportation being easier and cheaper, 
a very large proportion of our produce goes to the first- 
named city. When the new railroad comes much of 
this will be diverted to Richmond, or northward to 
Philadelphia and New York. From the port of West 
Point we have communication direct or indirect with 
all parts of the world. 

LABOR 

Labor is cheap as can be found elsewhere in the coun- 
try. Native colored hands, by many considered the 
best in the world, can be had for eight dollars per 
month and board. To those who prefer it, white labor 
is obtainable. 

SHEEP AND WOOL 

This is a profitable industry. The yield for fleece 
may be set down at three to fourteen pounds. The 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 33 

Cotswold, Shropshire, and other improved breeds, are 
coming in, and the yield increases. Lambs are always 
in demand in early spring and fall, and pay well. One 
gentleman reports a lamb dropped in March and weigh- 
ing lOO pounds in July. 



BEES AND HONEY 

Bee-keeping can be made to pay. There were to be 
seen in our exhibit specimens from the hive of an enter- 
prising lady of the county, surpassed by none, equaled 
by very few, in any section of the country. 

GAME 

From its comparatively isolated location, the county 
is well supplied with game. The deer, fox, rabbit, the 
wild turkey, goose and duck, quail, snipe, etc., are plenti- 
ful; while last, not least, the sora, that most delicious 
of all birds, gives life to our marshes and food to our 
palates in the fall. Try a specimen, fresh from the 
marsh and the spit, and be convinced. 

ROADS 

Our roads are good, except when affected by the rains 
and freezes of winter and spring. 

FINANCES 

The county's finances are in a healthy condition, the 
revenue meeting the annual expenses without trouble, 
and making a handsome return for State expenses. The 
tax rate is only eighty cents on the hundred dollars to 
both county and State. The county owes nothing. 

MAIL FACILITIES 

Mails pass and re-pass regularly and daily to and 
from Richmond, the morning papers from that city 
reaching parts of the county by or before lo A. M. 



34 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

POPULATION 



Census Year 


Total 


White 


Free Colored 


Slave 


T7QO 


9377 

9879 

10988 

1 1 798 

1 1644 

10862 

10319 

10328 

9709 

10502 

9669 

9265 


4159 
4335 
4718 
5460 

4714 
4426 
4094 
3801 
4221 
4424 

4235 
4006 


75 
164 
267 
297 
416 

499 
461 
388 
5488 
6078 
5430 
5259 


5143 


1800 


5380 


I8I0 


6003 


1820 


6041 


1830 


6514 


1840 


5937 


1850 


5764 


i860 


6139 


1870 




1880 




1890 




igOO 









CHAPTER IV 

GEORGE ROGERS CLARK: HIS NATIVITY AND HIS 
EXPLOITS 

The author distinctly remembers that in the days 
of his boyhood, there stood a dilapidated but still 
tenantable house on a red-clay hill about midway be- 
tween Stevensville and Cumnor, five miles above the 
Courthouse. It was on land which was occupied for 
years by Hon. H. R. Pollard, now City Attorney of 
Richmond; but is at present occupied (1903) by Dr. 
Thomas Latane. The place was known in 1830 all 
around by the name of " Clark's." 

This place is associated with two names which reflect 
as much credit on the county in things material, as 
Shackelford and Semple did in things spiritual. His- 
torians and biographers agree in proclaiming that 
George Rogers Clark was a native of Albemarle 
County. This author ventures a decided opinion that 
this is a mistake. Colonel John Pollard came to King 
and Queen in 18 18, from Goochland, the very year 
of General Clark's death. Being an observing and 
thoughtful man, and knowing something of the careers 
of George Rogers Clark and his brother William, who 
was only second to him, both being generals in the rnili- 
tary service — he (Colonel Pollard) looked closely into 
the question of their family lineage, birth, etc. From 
his statement, oft repeated, it was agreed by the people 
of the county that George Rogers was bom at the place 
indicated above, and was consequently a native of King 
and Queen. Some of them knew the Clarks well. 
While he was yet an infant his father removed to Albe- 
marle, and it is easy to understand how historians have 
made the pardonable mistake. The tradition at the 
time of the death of George Rogers, near Louisville, 
Ky., in 1818, as given by those acquainted with the 

33 



36 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

Clark family in King and Queen, was unanimous. This 
would seem decisive. The old house where he first saw 
the light of day disappeared many years since, and the 
site is now under cultivation. 

We give below something of a family tree, compiled 
from the " Conquest of the Northwest " : 

Before 1725 there settled in King and Queen an 
English immigrant named John C. Clark. He was 
unmarried. By and by, learning that a shipload of 
marriageable girls was to land at Yorktown — then a 
port of some importance — he went down to take a 
survey. It was easy then to go by boat from the Matta- 
pony down the York River. The ship had just arrived. 
Mr. Clark was attracted by a red-haired maiden and 
married her. 

We propose here to give a sketch of the Clark family, 
drawn in part from the " Conquest of the Northwest," 
and in part from William Kyle Anderson's sketches. 

1. John Clark, Englishman, married red-headed 
Scotch girl, located in King and Queen after 1700 A. D. 

2. Jonathan, his son, married Elizabeth Wilson, 
died 1734. In his will Jonathan Clark uses this lan- 
guage, in which it will be noted there is a recognition 
of the great God over all, and as well, of His Son, our 
Savior — the Lord Jesus Christ: 

" Through the mercy and merits of Christ, our Savior." 

3. John, oldest son of Jonathan, born 1724, married 
in 1749, Ann Rogers, daughter of Giles Rogers* and 
sister of Mrs. Donald Robertson. 

4. George Rogers Clark, their second child, was 
bom Nov. 19, 1752. The names of the brothers and 
sisters are, in order of ages, as follows: Jonathan, 
George Rogers, John, Richard, Edmund, Lucy, Eliza- 
beth, William, and Frances. 

Giles Rogers, Sr., was the grandfather, on the ma- 
ternal side, of Ann (Rogers) Clark. Among the chil- 

* Giles Rogers was an Englishman who settled on the Mattapony 
River in King and Queen in 1686. 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 37 

dren of John, Sr., George Rogers and William were 
men of national reputation, and deservedly so. George 
Rogers, second son of John, Sr., emigrated to Kentucky 
when yet a mere youth. Kentucky in that day was a 
howling wilderness, inhabited largely by Indians hostile 
to the whites, and by murderous beasts of the forest. 
Immigrants were few and scattered. Roving bands of 
wild Indians often came across the Ohio, and these did 
not hesitate to murder any unlucky immigrants who 
happened to obstruct their way, nor even to attack their 
settlements or hinder their hunting. George Rogers 
Clark soon saw the condition, and finding the settlers at 
Harrodsburg — then a mere hamlet — practically de- 
fenseless, through the almost total lack of powder and 
ball, he determined to return to Virginia to procure 
arms and ammunition for the settlement. This was 
just after the Revolutionary War had set in. The 
pathway was long and tedious, but he found his family 
and visited the Governor and Council at Williamsburg, 
then the capital of the State, where, fortunately, he 
found that great and far-seeing man, Patrick Henry, at 
the head of affairs as Governor. After a delay, to 
him doubtless very tedious, he procured an order from 
the Governor requiring the military commandant at 
Wheeling to deliver to Clark ammunition — notably 
powder — to be transported down the river, for the pur- 
pose Indicated, and to detail a certain number of sol- 
diers to go with him as guard. 

With a sagacity and vigor worthy of a man twice as 
old Clark took the powder down the river to a point 
some forty miles from Harrodsburg, and delivered it 
safely Into the hands of the whites. The Indians laid 
an ambuscade on the road from the landing to Har- 
rodsburg, and a number of his men were slain, but the 
object of the expedition was accomplished. 

This put the colony In shape to meet the Indians on 
their raids, and a number of their lurking parties were 
broken up and scattered. And yet the raids grew more 
frequent and aggressive. It developed that a power, 
greater than the Indians, was behind them. It will be 
remembered that the war of the Revolution was being 



38 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

waged in the East at this period. The British had 
pushed out their forces to several points on the Lakes, 
and had built forts, notably one near Detroit, in Mich- 
igan. From Detroit they extended their lines to and 
down the Mississippi, erecting three forts on that river 
— the southernmost at the town of Kaskaskia — and a 
fort had also been erected at the town of Vincennes on 
the Wabash. 

The object had in view by the Governor-general of 
Canada was manifestly to cut us off from acquisition of 
territory north of the Ohio River and west of the Mis- 
sissippi. Canadian authorities incited the Indians, and 
in some cases sent British soldiers along to direct their 
raids upon the defenseless settlers in Kentucky. 

With the keen eye of a strategist Clark saw that the 
most effective means to stop these raids was to raise a 
force, and, if possible, take and hold these forts. With 
this view he returned to Virginia and laid the case before 
Governor Henry and his council, from whom he soon 
received a commission as captain in the Virginia army, 
with authority to raise a regiment and proceed to the 
accomplishment of his object. 

Let us pause a moment to fix in our minds the dates 
of the events here recounted. December 7, 1776, was 
the date of the order for the powder; in October, 1777, 
Clark returned to Virginia; January 2, 1778, he re- 
ceived orders and instructions from the Governor at 
Williamsburg. June 24, 1778, Clark leaves Louisville 
in boats — an eclipse of the sun occurring just as he em- 
barked — to go down the Ohio, aiming for Kaskaskia. 
He has a force of only 175 men! July 4, 1778, at mid- 
night, he captures the fort at Kaskaskia, taking the com- 
mandant, Rocheblave, with all the garrison. Next 
morning he starts a subordinate with a small troop of 
men, and in due time all three of the forts on the Mis- 
sissippi were in the hands of the Virginians. 

Clark next moves eastward across Illinois to the Wa- 
bash, some 160 miles, and captures the fort at Vin- 
cennes. Then he returns to Kaskaskia, leaving a small 
force at Vincennes. But the British were not to be 
foiled so easily. The Vice-governor-general, whose 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 39 

name was Hamilton, marched down from Detroit and 
recaptured Vincennes. Clark foresaw that unless Harn- 
ilton was checkmated he himself would be attacked in 
the spring at Kaskaskia. He determined to anticipate 
Governor Hamilton, and so in the freezing month of 
February, 1779, he leads a force back to Vincennes, in 
some places through waters up to their shoulders, out- 
wits Governor Hamilton, and recaptures the fort with 
all its garrison. This was an amazing achievement — 
perhaps the equal of anything of its character accom- 
plished during the Revolution. It added five great 
States, and a part of a sixth, to our Union — Ohio, Indi- 
ana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, and a part of 
Minnesota. 

George Rogers Clark displayed a military instinct 
which was most remarkable, and that, too, without any 
previous training whatever. In our judgment, he ranks 
second only to Washington himself in the results he 
achieved. 

William Clark was also a general, U. S. A. He was 
younger by some eighteen years than his brother, George 
Rogers. He was the Clark of " Lewis and Clark's Ex- 
pedition " westward along the Missouri and by way of 
Columbia River to the Pacific. He was afterwards 
made Governor of the Louisiana Territory, with head- 
quarters at St. Louis, and was highly honored by Presi- 
dent Jefferson.* 

The father and mother of these two men, as also the 
grandfather and grandmother, were King and Queen 
people. 

* We are fortunate in having the following from the pen of our dis- 
tinguished countryman, Col. A. R. F. Fleet: "I have pictures of George 
Rogers Clark and his brother William, which I shall probably present 
to King and Queen County as soon as I have time to prepare a paper 
on the two men. William, as you know, was the first Governor of 
Missouri, and stands in high repute in that State. Donald Robertson, 
whose life can be found in the Virginia Historical Library, taught 
James Madison and George Rogers Clark at his classical school in King 
and Queen. Thomas Walker, the ancestor of the distinguished Dr. 
Thomas Walker of Albemarle, and also of the Riveses and of Gov. 
Thomas Walker Gilmer, was also from King and Queen." 



40 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY. VIRGINIA 

NOTES FROM ENGLISH'S "CONQUEST 
OF THE NORTHWEST." 

Captain Edmund Clark. 
Born September 25th, 1762, died 18 17. 

General Jonathan Clark. 
Born August i, 1750, died November 25, 181 1. 

Family. — Vol. I., pp. 29-31, 404. Pension, 785, etc. 
Surveyor, p. 59. Dunmore War, 64. Visits Kentucky, 
6^. Returned to Virginia and to Kentucky. Virginia 
Legislator. Sent by Patrick Henry with powder. Per- 
sonal appearance, 165. Plans for conquest of N. W. 
Corn Island. 

General George Rogers Clark. 

Born November 19th, 1752, son of John Clark and 
Ann Rogers, born February 13th, 17 18. Grandson of 
Jonathan Clark and his wife, nee Bird. 

Tributes to Gen. G. R. Clark. 

In center of Indianapolis a bronze monument, a sol- 
dier of Revolution, dedicated 1895, 113th anniversary 
of Sackville. Vincennes 160 miles from Kaskaskia. 

" For this great empire indebted to Clark alone." — 
Voorhees, U. S. S. 

" Second only to Washington." — Turpie, U. S. S. 

" A great Virginian — among the great and illustrious 
names of that magnificent State." — Sherman, U. S. S. 

" Hannibal of the West."— John Randolph, U. S. S. 

" Hard to find an officer achieving such results with 
a force so small." — Professor Hinsdale. 

" Tall, commanding, full of resources, confidence and 
afF. of men." — Lyman C. Draper, 

" Knew when to be mild, and when to stem and un- 
compromising." — Collins' History of Kentucky. 

" Theater of exploits distant and unknown region." 
— Samuel Merrill. 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 41 

" No hero of the Revolution a cleaner or better piece 
of work."— J. W. Daniel. 

" Not twenty-six years old when Henry sent on great 
mission." — James Parton. 

" The great territory of the Northwest due to one 
man." — President Garfield. 

" Much credit due to the men, most to Clark him- 
self." — President Roosevelt. 

" One of the most daring and gallant exploits in our 
history."— Hoar, U. S. S. 

" Our boundaries not Alleghanies, nor the Ohio, but 
Mississippi." — Judge Pickle. 

" Majestic person, strong features, dignified deport- 
ment." — Judge Burnett (1779). 

Both Jefferson and Henry his staunch friends and 
admirers. 

Great feat accomplished in a wild country, without 
roads, in the midst of savage and British enemies, and 
in spite of depreciating currency. 

Hamilton with strong force besieging Sackville fort. 
Helm and a private defending with a loaded cannon, 
demanding honorable terms, and gaining their point 
before surrender. 



CHAPTER V 

LEGISLATIVE ACTION CONCERNING THE FORMATION, 
AND INTENDED TO ADVANCE THE INTEREST, OF 

THE COUNTY OF KING AND QUEEN HENNING'S 

" STATUTES AT LARGE " 

1. In 1634 the Colony of Virginia was divided into 
eight shires, " which are to be governed as the shires of 
England. The names of the shires are, James City, 
Henrico, Charles City, Elizabeth City, Warwick River, 
Warrosquyoake, Charles River, and Accawmack." 
(Extract from the Judicial Proceedings of the Governor 
and Council in Virginia. I. Henning's Statutes at 
Large, p. 224.) 

2. By an act of March, 1643, " Achommack " was 
thenceforth to be known as " North'ton." It was like- 
wise enacted and confirmed that " Charles River 
County " should be called " the County of York," and 
that " Warwick River County " should be called " the 
County of Warwick." (I. Hen. St. at Large, p. 249.) 

3. It appears from a recital in the preamble of an 
act passed at a session of the " Grand Assembly," begin- 
ning on the 1 2th of October, 1648, that there had been 
another act (which I am unable to find) making it a 
felony " To go to the north side of Charles [York] 
River and make a settlement." It was then enacted that 
on and after the ist of September, 1649, ^^^ the lands 
lying on the north side of Charles (York) River and 
Rappahannock River were to be open and free to set- 
tlement, and the said act making it a felony there to 
settle, was repealed. (I. Hen. St. at Large, pp. 353, 

354-) 

4. On the list of " the names of the Burgeses for 
each respective county," " New Kent " first appeared 
November 20th, 1654, as represented at an assembly 
held at James City on November 20, 1654, and Capt. 
Robert Abrell appears to have been its Burgess; and 

42 




COI,. 



JOHN POULARD 

( 1803-1877 1 



I^ieutenant-Colonel Virginia Militia, Commissioner of Revenue, 
L,awyer and Commissioner in Chancery, 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 43 

under the " Publique Orders of Assembly " the follow- 
ing appears : 

" It is ordered that the upper part of Yorke County 
shall be a distinct county called New Kent, from the 
west side of Scimino Creek to the heads of Pomunkey 
and Mattaponie River, and downe to the west side of 
Poropotanke Creeke." (I. Hen. St. at Large, pp. 387, 

388.) 

5. Among the " Public Orders of Assembly " at the 
session commenced March 24, 1655, is the following: 
" ORDERED, That from Poropotank to Mattapony 
upward (vizt) on the north side of Yorke River be a 
distinct parish by the name of Stratton Major." (I. 
Hen. St. at Large, p. 404-) , , 

6. By an act of the '* Grand Assembly," held at 
James City in March, 1661, the date of the holding of 
the County Court of New Kent County was fixed for the 
28th day of each month. (I. Hen. St. at Large, p. 70.) 

7. The County of King and Queen was formed 
from New Kent County by an act of the " General As- 
sembly begun at James Citty," on the i6th day of April 
A. D. 1 69 1. The preamble of the act recites that: 
" WHEREAS sundry and divers inconveniences attend 
the inhabitants of New Kent County and all others who 
have occation to prosecute suites there, by reason of the 
difficulty in passing the river " ; and it was enacted that 
" New Kent be divided into two distinct counties, so 
that Pomunkey River shall divide the same, and so down 
York River to the extent of the county, and that the 
part which is now on the south side of Yorke and Po- 
munkey River be called New Kent, and that the north 
side with Pomunkey Neck be called and known by the 
name of King and Queen County." It was further 
enacted, " That a court for the said King and Queen 
County be constantly held by the justices thereof upon 
the 1 2th day of the month in such manner as by the laws 
of this county is provided." (III. Hen. St. at Large, 
pp. 94, 95.) 

8. By an act of the *' General Assembly begun at 
His Majestyes Royall Colledge of William & Mary 
Adjoyning to the City of Williamsburgh, the 5th Day 



44 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

of December, 1700," it was recited as follows: 
" WHEREAS sundry and divers inconveniencies attend 
the inhabitants of that part of King and Queen County 
which lies within Pamunkey Neck when they have occa- 
sion to prosecute law suits at the , or to go to 

any other publick meeting by reason of the difficulty in 
passing Matapiny River "; and it was enacted that after 
the I ith day of April, 1702, " the said county of King 
and Queen be divided into two distinct countyes so that 
Matapiny River divide the same, and that that part of 
the said county which is and lyes on the north side the 
said Matapiny River and York River remaine and shall 
for ever hereafter be called and knowne by the name of 
King and Queen County, and that that part of the said 
county which is and lyes on the south side of the said 
river within Pamunkey Neck shall be called and knowne 
by the name of King William County. And for the due 
administration of justice, 

" Be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, 
and it is hereby enacted. That after the time aforesaid 
a court for the said King William County be constantly 
held by the justices thereof upon the 20th day of every 
month in such manner as by the laws of this county is 
provided and shall be by their commission directed. 
And whereas the towne land lying at West Point in Pa- 
munkey Neck was purchased by the entire county of 
King and Queen as then it was, all the charges about the 
same being equally levied upon the whole number of 
tythables of the said county, 

" Be it enacted by the authority aforesaid, and it is 
hereby enacted, That two thirds of the tobacco ariseing 
from the sailes of the said towne lands to the severall 
takers up thereof be repaid to the inhabitants that shall 
be for the time being on the north side of the said Mata- 
pany and York Rivers in King and Queen County upon 
the takeing up of the said towne land." (III. Hen. St. 
at Large, pp. 211, 212.) 

9. By the " General Assembly Summoned to Meet 
at Her Majesty's Roial College of William & Mary 
adjoining to the City of Williamsburgh," begun on the 
19th day of March, 1702, an act was passed entitled: 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 45 

" An Act impowering the Court of King and Queen 
County, to purchase land for a Town." Unfortunately 
the text of this act has never been found or published. 
(III. Hen. St. at Large, p. 227.) 

10. Among the acts passed during the session of the 
General Assembly held in 1705 is one entitled: " An act 
for Establishing ports and towns "; but this act does not 
provide for the establishment of any port or town within 
the county of King and Queen. West Point was estab- 
lished as such a port by said act, which provided as fol- 
lows: " That at West Point to be called Delaware, and 
to have Tuesdays and Satturdays in each week for mar- 
ket days, and the second Tuesday in September and 
four following days annually their fair." (III. Hen. St. 
at Large, pp. 415, 416.) 

11. By an act passed at the same session, entitled, 
"An act for the regulation and settlement of Ferries; 
and for the dispatch of public expresses," a ferry was 
established across York River from the Brick House to 
Graves's, " the price for a man one shilling, for a man 
and horse two and twenty pence halfpenny," and from 
West Point to Graves's, " the price for a man six pence, 
for a man and horse one shilling." (III. Hen. St. at 
Large, pp. 471, 472.) , , . , 

12. By another act passed dunng the same session 
the day of holding the County Court of King and Queen 
County was fixed for the fourth Monday in every month. 
(III. Hen. St. at Large, p. 507.) 

13. "At a General Assembly begun and holden at 
the Capitol, in the City of Williamsburg, on the second 
day of November, 1720," an act on the subject of fer- 
ries was passed, by which the following ferries were es- 
tablished over the Mattapony River: " From Samuel 
Norment's, over the said river, the price for a man, 
three pence, and for a horse, three pence, and for each 
hogshead of tobacco, six pence. From William White's 
over the said river, the price for a man, three pence, and 
for a horse, three pence, and for each hogshead of to- 
bacco, six pence." (IV. Hen. St. at Large, p. 93.) The 
title of another appears as follows: "An Act for the 
vesting the fee simple estate of certain Lands in William 



46 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

Beverley, of the county of King and Queen, gent., upon 
certain considerations therein mentioned." (IV. Hen. 
St. at Large, p. 1 16.) 

14. By a session of the General Assembly begun and 
held on the 9th day of May, 1723, an act was passed 
entitled, " An act for dividing Saint Stephen's Parish, in 
the county of King and Queen." (IV. Hen. St. at 
Large, p. 141.) 

15. At a session of the General Assembly begun on 
the first day of February, 1727, an act was passed enti- 
tled, " An act for erecting a new county, on the heads of 
Essex, King and Queen, and King William Counties; 
and for calling the same Caroline County." (IV. Hen. 
St. at Large, p. 240.) 

16. By another act of the General Assembly begun 
and held on the 3d day of May, 1730, an act was passed 
in relation to the inspection of tobacco and the establish- 
ment of certain warehouses. The following public 
warehouses were established in King and Queen County: 
At Todd's, at Mantapike, and at Shepherd's in King 
and Queen County. (IV. Hen. St. at Large, p. 267.) 

By a subsequent act the compensation of the inspec- 
tors at the public warehouses was fixed, and the com- 
pensation at the King and Queen warehouses was fixed 
as follows: At Todd's fifty pounds of tobacco per 
annum; at Mantapike forty pounds per annum; at Shep- 
herd's fifty pounds per annum. (IV. Hen. St. at Large, 
p. 335.) By a subsequent act passed at the same ses- 
sion the rents of the public warehouses were fixed as 
follows: At Shepherd's twelve pounds of tobacco per 
annum; at Mantapike ten pounds per annum; at Todd's 
twenty pounds per annum ; and the compensation to the 
inspectors at the said warehouses was charged and fixed 
as follows: At Shepherd's thirty-five pounds of tobacco 
per annum; at Mantapike thirty-five pounds per annum, 
and at Todd's forty pounds per annum. (IV. Hen. St. 
atLarge, pp. 383, 385.) 

17. By an act passed at the same session it was re- 
cited as follows: " And whereas the vestry of the par- 
ish of St. Stephen, in the county of King and Queen, 
have also lately purchased a good and convenient glebe, 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 47 

for the parson of that parish, and his successors; and are 
desirous to sell the old glebe, which is inconvenient, and 
to apply the purchase money to other parochial uses " ; 
and it was enacted that " The said old glebe, of the said 
parish of St. Stephen, containing, by estimation, near 
two hundred acres, with the appurtenances, be, and is 
hereby, vested in the present vestry of the said parish, 
and the vestry of the said parish for the time being, in 
trust," for the purpose of enabling the vestry to sell the 
same and convey a good title to the purchaser, " the pur- 
chase money " to be laid out and applied by them " in 
the purchasing of slaves, to be placed upon the new 
glebe, and such slaves, and their increase, so long as any 
of them shall be living, shall remain upon the said glebe, 
for the use and benefit of the present parson, and the 
parson of the said parish for the time being, for ever." 
(IV. Hen. St. at Large, pp. 441, 442.) 

18. At the General Assembly held on the 5th day 
of August, 1736, the date of the County Court of King 
and Queen County was fixed for the second Tuesday in 
every month. (IV. Hen. St. at Large, p. 533.) 

19. By an act passed by the General Assembly in 
November, 1738, it was enacted that Sir John Randolph, 
knight, treasurer of the revenues arising by two sev- 
eral acts, having departed this life, John Robinson, the 
younger, esquire, " be appointed " treasurer of the rev- 
enues arising from the duty upon liquors and slaves 
. . . " to hold the said office so long as he shall 
continue to be Speaker of the House of Burgesses, and 
from the time of his being out of that office, until the 
end of the next session of Assembly." His salary was 
fixed at " four pounds in the hundred, and so propor- 
tionably for a greater or less sum, . . . out of all 
and every the sum and sums of money by him received 
and accounted for to the General Assembly." (V. Hen. 
St. at Large, pp. 64, 65.) 

20. Under section 35 of an act of the General As- 
sembly, passed May, 1742, public warehouses for the 
inspection of tobacco pursuant to this said act were re- 
quired to be kept " in the County of King and Queen 
at Shepherd's and Thomas Turner's, under one inspec- 



48 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

tion; at Mantapike and Walker Town, on the lot of 
Mr. John Walker, under another inspection; and at 
Todd's." The salary of the inspector at Shepherd's and 
Thomas Turner's land was fixed at thirty-five pounds 
of tobacco, at Mantapike and Walker Town at thirty- 
five pounds, and at Todd's at forty pounds. (V. Hen. 
St. at Large, pp. 142, 144.) . , 1 u a 

21. In May, 1742, an act was passed entitled, An 
act for dividing the county of King and Queen, and 
adding the upper part thereof to the county of Caro- 
line." By this act it was provided that after the first 
of December, next ensuing, " the said county of King 
and Queen be divided by a line to be run from the 
upper part of the land of William Wood, on the edge 
of Essex County, to the upper part of Captain Rich- 
ard Tunstal's land, on Morocosick Creek; and that all 
that part of the said county of King and Queen, below 
the said creek, be one distinct county and retain the 
name of King and Queen County, and that all the other 
part thereof, above the said line, be thereafter annexed 
and made part of the county of Caroline." (V. Hen, 
St. at Large, p. 185.) 

22. In May, 1742, an act was passed entitled, " An 
act to vest certain entailed lands, parcel of a greater 
tract therein mentioned, in George Braxton, the younger, 
in fee simple, and for settling other lands of greater 
value, to the same uses." (V. Hen. St. at Large, p. 

214O 

23. In September, 1744, an act was passed, entitled 

" An act to empower the vestry of the parish of Stratton 
Major, in the county of King and Queen, to sell the 
glebe of the said parish, and to purchase a more con- 
venient glebe in lieu thereof." (V. Hen. St. at Large, 

P- 251.) 

24. By an act passed February, 1745, "John Rob- 
inson, John Blair, and William Nelson, Esquires, mem- 
bers of His Majesty's honorable council; John Robin- 
son, Esquire, Mr. Secretary Nelson, Richard Randolph, 
William Beverley, Beverley Whiting, and Benjamin 
Waller, gentlemen, members of the House of Burgesses, 
or any six of them, whereof two to be of the council 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 49 

and four of the House of Burgesses," were appointed 
a committee for the revisal of the whole body of the 
laws of His Majesty's colony and dominion. (V. Hen. 
St. at Large, p. 321.) 

25. In October, 1748, an act was passed entitled 
" An act for establishing county courts, and for regu- 
lating and settling the proceedings therein," and the 
county court of the county of King and Queen was re- 
quired to be held on the second Tuesday in every month. 
(V. Hen. St. at Large, pp. 489, 490.) 

26. In November, 1753, an act was passed entitled, 
" An act for clearing Mattapony River," by which act 
Richard Corbin, Esquire, John Robinson, Esquire, 
Lunsford Lomax, Edmund Pendleton, ThomasTurner, 
Henry Robinson, John Baylor, and Thomas Johnson, 
gentlemen, were appointed trustees and authorized and 
empowered to receive subscriptions and to contract with 
any person or persons for clearing the Mattapony River, 
by removing all stops which in anywise obstructed the 
navigation of the same, as far upstream as Burke's 
bridge, in the county of Caroline. (VL Hen. St. at 
Large, p. 394.) 

27. In March, 1762, the following act was passed 
by the General Assembly: "An act to empower the 
vestries of the parishes of Drysdale, in the counties of 
Caroline and King and Queen, and of St. Stephen, in 
the said county of King and Queen, to sell their glebes, 
and lay out the money in purchasing more convenient 
glebes." (VII. Hen. St. at Large, p. 513.) 

28. By an act passed November, 1762, entitled, 
" An act for raising a Publick Levy," it is recited that, 
whereas a balance is due to the public from the county 
of King and Queen of $6,985.00, assessed on tobacco, 
the sheriff shall sell the said tobacco levied on for public 
purposes, to the highest bidder, etc. Presumably this 
tobacco was in the public warehouses of the county. 
(VII. Hen. St. at Large, p. 544.) 

29. An act was passed November, 1762, establish- 
ing a public pilotage and regulating fees therefor, by 
which it was provided that from West Point to Shep- 
herd's the pilot fee should be six pence, and from West 



50 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

Point to Meredith's, Moore's or the highest landing up 
the Mattapony River, one shilHng. (VII. Hen. St, at 
Large, pp. i;8o, 583.) 

30. In November, 1762, an act was passed entitled, 
" An act for adding part of the county of King and 
Queen to the county of Caroline, and for altering the 
Court day of the said county of King and Queen," by 
which it was provided that after the loth day of Feb- 
ruary, next ensuing, the said county should be " divided 
by a line to be run from Morocosick Creek, at the mouth 
of Beverley Run, thence up the said run and the South 
Fork which Beverley's mill stands on to the head thereof, 
and from thence by a straight line to be run east to the 
line between the said county and the county of Essex; 
and that all that part of the said county which lies above 
the said bounds shall be united to, and made part of, the 
said county of Caroline." It was also provided by the 
said act that after the said loth day of February, next 
ensuing, that the County Court of the said county of 
King and Queen was to be held on the second Monday 
in every month. (VII. Hen. St. at Large, pp. 620, 
621.) 

31. An act was passed October, 1764, entitled, 
" An act for establishing the landing place from Fraser's 
Ferry to the causeway opposite thereto." It was recited 
in said act that the guardian of the infant children of 
George Braxton, esquire, deceased, who were seized of 
the reversion of the lands adjoining the said causeway, 
had consented thereto. (VIII. Hen. St. at Large, p. 

49.) 

32. By an act passed October, 1765, the public ware- 
houses at Shepherd's and Thomas Turner's were placed 
under one inspection; at Mantapike, at Walker Town, 
on the land of Mr. Bavlor Walker, and at Waller's 
Ferry in the county of King William, under one inspec- 
tion; and at Todd's, under one inspection. (VIII. Hen. 
St. at Large, p. 78.) 

33. By an act passed November, 1766, the Speaker 
of the House of Burgesses was given a salary of 500 
pounds sterling per annum, and it was provided that 
thereafter the offices of Treasurer and of Speaker of 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 51 

the House of Burgesses should be separate and distinct. 
(VIII. Hen. St. at Large, p. 210.) 

34. By an act passed November, 1766, it was recited 
that John Robinson having departed this hfe since the 
previous session of Assembly, the Lieutenant-Governor 
of the Colony had appointed Robert Carter Nicholas 
Treasurer in his place, and thereupon by said act he was 
appointed to hold the office during the continuance of 
the present General Assembly and afterward to the end 
of the next session of General Assembly. (VIII. Hen. 
St. at Large, p. 211.) 

35. By the recital of an act passed in November, 
1766, it appears that Robert Beverley, Esquire, then 
deceased, was, in his lifetime, seized of a valuable estate 
in lands, known by the name of Beverley Park, situate 
in the parish of Drysdale, in the counties of Caroline 
and of King and Queen, and containing 7,600 acres. 
(VIII. Hen. St. at Large, pp. 227, 228.) 

36. In November, 1766, an act was passed entitled, 
" An act to empower the administrators of the estate of 
John Robinson, Esquire, deceased, to sell such parts of 
his real or personal estate as to them shall seem most 
convenient for the payment of his debts; " by which it 
was recited that John Robinson was greatly indebted for 
the balance of the public money in his hands, as well 
as to many private persons. By said act Peyton Ran- 
dolph, Esquire, Edmund Pendleton, and Peter Lyons, 
gentlemen, administrators of the estate of the said John 
Robinson, were empowered to sell such portion of the 
said lands as they deemed most advantageous, etc. 
(VIII. Hen. St. at Large, p. 272.) 

37. An act was passed November, 1769, entitled, 
" An act for the more speedy and effectual recovery of 
the debt due to the public from the estate of the late 
treasurer." (VIII. Hen. St. at Large, p. 349.) 

38. By an act passed in 1769 it was recited that 
George Brooke was seized in fee simple of a tract of 
land called Mantapike, containing about seven hundred 
and eighty acres, lying on said (Mattapony) river, in 
the county of King and Queen, and by him purchased of 
Tunstall Banks; and by said act the fee-simple title was 



52 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

vested in said George Brooks in lieu of an estate tail. 
(VIIL Hen. St. at Large, pp. 474, 475.) 

39. In February, 1772, an act was passed entitled, 
" An act to amend an act entitled an act for clearing 
Mattapony River." By this act Richard Corbin and 
John Page, esquires, and Edmund Pendleton, Walker 
Taliaferro, George Brooke, William Aylett, Anthony 
Thornton, John Armistead, William Nelson, Jr., John 
Baylor, Jr., and John Jones, gentlemen, were appointed 
trustees to carry out the intent of the act, that is, to 
clear the river to Burk's bridge, etc. (VIII. Hen. St. 
at Large, p. 579.) 

40. In February, 1772, an act was passed entitled, 
" An act to vest certain intailed lands, whereof Philip 
Ludwell Grymes, gentleman, is seized, in William 
Roane, gentleman, in fee simple." (VIII. Hen. St. 
at Large, 630.) 

41. By an act passed February, 1772, entitled "An 
act to dock the intail of certain lands whereof William 
Todd, gentleman, is seised, and for other purposes 
therein mentioned," it was recited that Thomas Todd, 
formerly of the county of Gloucester, gentleman, was, 
in his lifetime, seised of a considerable estate in lands, 
and among others of a large and valuable tract of land 
lying on the Mattapony River, in the county of King and 
Queen, and of another tract containing about one thou- 
sand acres lying on the Dragon Swamp in the parish of 
St. Stephen in said county of King and Queen, etc. 
(VIII. Hen. St. at Large, pp. 631, 632.) 

42. In May, 1777, an act was passed entitled "An 
act for dissolving the vestries of several parishes." It 
is recited in the preamble of this act that " there are 
such divisions in the parish of Stratton Major in the 
county of King and Queen that the affairs of the said 
parish have been for some time neglected," and by this 
act it was enacted, on that account, that the freeholders 
and housekeepers of the said parish should meet at some 
convenient time and place, to be appointed and pub- 
licly advertised by the sheriff of the county, at least one 
month before the 15th day of July, next ensuing, and 
" then and there elect twelve of the most able and dis- 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 53 

creet persons, being freeholders and resident in the par- 
ish, for vestrymen, who should thereafter, being so 
elected, take and subscribe the oaths required by law." 
It was further recited in said act as follows: "And 
whereas the levies of the said parish of Stratton Major, 
for some time last passed, have not been laid by the 
vestry thereof, whereby the creditors of the said 
parish remain unpaid: Be it therefore enacted. That 
the vestry of the said parish, to be elected by virtue of 
this act, shall levy and assess upon the tithable persons 
of the said parish all such sums of money and quantities 
of tobacco, as ought to have been levied and assessed by 
the said vestry." (XI. Hen. St. at Large, pp. 317, 318.) 
43. In October, 1779, an act was passed entitled, 
" An act for dividing the parish of Drysdale, in the 
counties of Caroline and King and Queen." By this di- 
vision that part of the parish lying east of the line " to 
begin at the lower corner of the land of John Page, 
Esq., upon Mattapony River, and run along his lower 
line and those of Christopher Smith, Anthony Scale, 
and Fredericlv Phillips, to the corner of the lands of 
Edmund Pendleton, the elder, Esq., and Edmund Jones; 
thence along the lines between them to Morocosick 
Creek; thence up the creek to the mouth of Phillips' 
Run; thence up the said Run to Digge's upper line; 
thence along that line and the course thereof continued 
to the line of Essex County," was separated from the 
part lying west of the line described and was to retain 
the name of Drysdale. By the same act Edmund Pen- 
dleton, the elder, William Lyne, Anthony Thornton, 
Jun., Thomas Coleman, Mungo Roy, and James Up- 
shaw, gentlemen, were appointed commissioners to sell 
and convey " the present glebe and buildings " belong- 
ing to the parish " for ready money or on credit, as 
to them shall appear most advisable," and " that the 
money arising from the sale thereof shall be equally 
divided between the said parishes of Drysdale and 
Saint Asaph " (the new parish formed) , except that they 
were to appoint one or more disinterested persons to 
value the two churches then in the said parish of Drys- 
dale and they were to deduct from the money any excess 



54. KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

of value of one church over the other. (X. Hen. St. at 
Large, p. 209.) 

44. In October, 1784, an act was passed entitled, 
" An act to amend the act for clearing Mattapony 
River." By this act it was provided, " That as soon as 
the trustees under the said former acts shall have re- 
moved all obstructions to the navigation thereof in the 
manner therein directed, so that a boat carrying eight 
hogsheads of tobacco can freely and safely pass as high 
as Burk's bridge, from thenceforth the proprietors of 
the land on both sides of the said river below the said 
bridge, having notice thereof, shall be obliged to take 
up, remove and destroy all artificial obstructions which 
may be placed therein contiguous to or opposite his or 
her land, under the penalty of forfeiting and paying 
the sum of five pounds for every twelve hours the same 
shall be or remain therein." By the same act the trus- 
tees were authorized to open the navigation of the river 
above Burk's bridge, under certain conditions. (XI. 
Hen. St. at Large, p. 530.) 

45. In October, 1785, an act was passed, entitled, 
" An act to repeal the act of Assembly for establishing 
the Town of Walkerton." This act is in the following 
language : 

" BE it enacted by the General Assembly, That the 
act of Assembly for establishing the town of Walkerton, 
in the County of King and Queen, shall be, and the same 
is hereby repealed. That forty acres of land, which 
were by deed bearing date the thirteenth day of June, 
one thousand seven hundred and nine, given and granted 
by John Walker, deceased, for the use of the inhabitants 
of the said town, as a common, shall be, and the same 
are hereby revested in the legal representatives of the 
said John Walker in fee : Provided always. That noth- 
ing herein contained shall be construed to affect the right 
of any person to a lot or part of a lot in the said place, 
or to discontinue the public road to, or ferry across, 
Mattapony River from the said town." (Although 
diligent search has been made I have been unable to find 
the act establishing the town of Walkerton, referred to 
in the above act. (XII. Hen. St. at Large, p. 207.) 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 55 

46. An act was passed October, 1788, entitled, " An 
act for opening and improving the navigation of Matta- 
pony River," By this act Edmund Pendleton, William 
Nelson, John Baylor, Edmund Pendleton, Jr., John 
Hoomes, John Page, Mungo Roy, John Taylor, Fran- 
cis Corbin, Benjamin Temple, Larkin Smith, Anderson 
Scott, Anthony New, and Lawrence Battaile were ap- 
pointed trustees " for clearing, improving, and extending 
the navigation of the said river, from Todd's bridge, 
in the counties of King William and King and Queen, 
as far up the same as they may judge it practicable, so 
as to have a sufficient depth and width of water to navi- 
gate boats, batteaus, or canoes, capable of carrying four 
hogsheads of tobacco," and they were authorized to take 
and receive subscriptions for that purpose. They were 
authorized also to demand and receive, " for all com- 
modities transported up or down the same, tolls not 
exceeding those imposed by the act entitled, ' An act 
for opening and extending the navigation of Potow- 
mack River.' " The trustees were declared to be 
incorporated by the name and title of the Mattapony 
Trustees, and might sue and be sued as such. (XII. 
Hen. St. at Large, pp. 698-701.) 

47. There was an act passed in October, 1791, en- 
titled, " An act to amend the act for opening and im- 
proving the navigation of Mattapony River," whereby 
the board of trustees was reduced to eleven, who were 
named, as follows: " Edmund Pendleton, Francis Cor- 
bin, John Baylor, Edmund Pendleton, junior, John 
Hoomes, Mungo Roy, John Taylor, Nathaniel Burwell, 
Joseph Hilllard, junior, James Pendleton, and Thomas 
Martin," any five of whom could act. (XIII. Hen. 
St. at Large, pp. 286-287.) 



CHAPTER VI 

CHURCH HOUSES AND OLD HOMES 

The fathers of the Colony had high ideals regarding 
their homes, and notably their church homes for the 
worship of God. Think of Greenway Court, Westover, 
Shirley, Brandon, and many others on the James. 
Settlers in King and Queen brought this high standard 
with them and lived up to it when their means allowed. 

It will be borne in mind that the Colony was started 
under English auspices. It came naturally from this, 
forasmuch as the parent state and the church, which was 
the Church of England, were indissolubly joined in one, 
that the worship and forms of that church were para- 
mount and that it stood without a rival in the Colony. 

Citizens were taxed without discrimination, for the 
support of the one church, and the poor fellow who came 
short in paying was heavily fined. By 'and by, when 
Presbyterians, Quakers, Methodists, and Baptists be- 
gan to show their faces and to assert whatthey regarded 
as their God-given rights, in the public proclamation of 
their doctrines, they were repressed with an iron heel. 
And so the Church of England had its own way in the 
Colony, and used in large part governmental aid in the 
support of its ministers, and in the erection of church 
houses. These last were built, truly, with a wise fore- 
cast looking to the future. Beginning at a point near 
the coast, there appears to have been a cordon of church 
houses erected about ten miles apart, houses of massive 
brick walls, not infrequently in the shape of a cross, 
with family pews raised to the height of four or five 
feet, a splendid pulpit at one angle, overlooking the en- 
tire floor, and a reading desk below, while the Creed, 
Lord's Prayer, and Ten Commandments were engraved 
in gilt letters on the wall at the east end. 

Time, natural decay, and neglect have destroyed many 

56 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 57 

of these splendid edifices, but a few of them have been 
preserved, notably Christ Church and Abingdon, in 
Gloucester; and Mattapony, four miles above the Court- 
house in King and Queen, the latter having been taken 
up and restored by the Baptists in after years. Some ac- 
count of the last named, presenting it as it stood a hun- 
dred years ago, and as the writer saw it in his childhood, 
may be of interest. The walls were nearly three feet 
thick from the foundation to a point about three feet 
above the ground. It was constructed of bricks, most 
of them apparently moulded at the place. The walls, 
reduced somewhat in thickness as they ascended, rose to 
about twenty feet, where the roof was set on, a roof 
composed of timbers so massive as to excite wonder in 
the minds of beholders. The longer end of the cross 
in which the house was builded looked toward the west, 
and there apparently was the principal entrance, though 
there were doors also in the walls, looking to the north 
and south. The eastern walls were without any open- 
ing from the ground up. The floor was almost on a 
level with the ground. The walls and the roof were 
plastered in lime, the wainscoting reaching some four 
feet above the floor, and the walls rising thence to the 
curve in which they joined the roof. The plastering has 
long since decayed, and within the roof has been re- 
placed by pine painted in oil; but the great walls seem 
built as for eternity. Here the Lumpkins, the Braxtons, 
the Corbins, the Harwoods, and many other honorable 
families worshiped — all of them now sleeping their last 
sleep. 

The writer well remembers the high family pews, — 
with seats running round them on three sides, for patri- 
arch, wife and children, and the stout door to shut them 
in, — the splendid pulpit, ascended by means of a balus- 
trade and steps, the great sounding-board overhead, 
and the chancel, too, ornamented in gilt and gold, with 
table of the Law and Creed; and a reading desk 
on the floor under the pulpit. The scene which caught 
one's eye on entering the house impressed the mind of 
childhood with solemn awe and reverence, and could 
never be forgotten. Some of the aisles were paved with 



68 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

marble slabs. This house, we think we can say with 
confidence, was built as early as 1690. A marble slab, 
just outside the nDrth door, covers the remains of 
Colonel Jacob Lumpkin, with this inscription : 

Jacob Lumpkin. 
Obit 14 die September, 1708, ^ talis 64. 

Dux Militum, Victor Hostium, 

Morte V ictus, Pax Adsit, Fives Requies, 

Eterna Sepultis. 

Near the south door, are two memorials of George 
and Mary Braxton, of Newington, parents of Carter 
Braxton, who signed the Declaration of Independence; 
while without in the capacious grounds lie the remains 
of a host of unknown dead. Monuments also are 
erected here to many who have died in later years, and 
the graves are often surmounted by structures more or 
less elegant. 

It seems impossible for one to visit this spot without 
being reminded of verses from Gray's Elegy: 

" Beneath those rugged elms, that yew tree's shade, 

Where heaves the turf in many a mouldering heap. 
Each in his narrow cell forever laid. 

The rude forefathers of the hamlet sleep." 

" Perhaps in this neglected spot is laid 

Some heart once pregnant with celestial fire; 
Hands that the rod of empire might have swayed, 
Or waked to ecstasy the living lyre." 

" Some village Hampden, that with dauntless breast 
The little tyrant of his fields withstood ; 
Some mute, inglorious Milton here may rest; 

Some Cromwell, guiltless of his country's blood." 

As was suggested above, this house is now held by 
the Baptists as a place of worship. The question is 
natural, How has this come about? It should be re- 
membered that during the Revolution of 1776 the estab- 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 59 

lished Church of England, along with kingly authority, 
went down under the leadership of Jefferson and Madi- 
son. It followed from this that church houses of the 
Establishment were dishabilitated. 

This house was for many years unoccupied and neg- 
lected. Tradition said that birds of the air built their 
nests, and beasts of the field had resort within its con- 
secrated walls. 

In the year 1803, Major Thomas Jeffries, Captain 
Robert Courtney, who afterwards served in the War of 
1 8 12, and other citizens, being at the time identi- 
fied with no church, but feeling the need of the stated 
worship of God, came hither, and at some expense to 
themselves, cleansed the house, and invited the people to 
meet together in it, and worship the Lord God of Hosts. 
Rev. William Todd, then a young man of the Baptist 
faith, and deputy clerk, under his chief, Robert Pollard, 
Sr., was invited to lead in the worship. He was then 
a member of Bruington Church. By and by he was 
regularly ordained by a Presbytery of his brethren, and 
was privileged to baptize a few into the fellowship of 
this faith. Among these were Colonel John Pollard, 
Mrs. Mary Hall, and others. 

From adjacent churches also, accessions were made, 
among the rest. Captain Courtney, John Redd, Captain 
Hall, Miss Priscilla Pollard, and some others. 

In 1828, Colonel Pollard, with the encouragement 
and aid of other citizens, secured from the Governor of 
the State a warrant authorizing the Baptists to use and 
occupy the house with adjacent grounds, and a deed was 
given them to that effect. It should be remembered 
that glebe, and other property in the Commonwealth be- 
longing to the Church of England, had long since been 
confiscated by formal act of the Legislature of Virginia. 

The old so-called "Apple Tree Church," where 
doubtless the Robertsons, the Wilsons, and many about 
Dunkirk and Ayletts, attended worship, stood on the 
river road, some four miles above Walkerton, and on 
lands now held by John N. Ryland, Sr., Esq. It has 
long since become a mouldering ruin, and nothing re- 
mains but a few scattering bricks to tell of its ancient 



60 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

glory. The so-called " Old Church " still stands some 
two miles below Little Plymouth, and is used by the 
Methodists. 

There was also a church house of the Establishment 
on the land of Lieutenant Robert Roy, some miles still 
lower down, which has also gone into decay. There 
were three parishes, each covering a part of King and 
Queen, Stratton Major below, and Drysdale above, St. 
Stephens intervening. 

In more modern times, it is scarcely necessary to add, 
church houses creditable to the citizens, have been 
erected throughout the length of the county, by the 
Methodists, Shackelford's, (below Centreville) , Provi- 
dence (northward from Stevensville) , Shepherd's, and 
Walkerton; by the Baptists, Poroporone, Olivet, lower 
King and Queen, Exol, Bruington, St. Stephens, and up- 
per King and Queen; and Smyrna, by the Disciples. The* 
Protestant Episcopalians have erected a neat chapel at 
King and Queen Courthouse, with ample grounds 
about it. These houses are statedly filled with large 
congregations of devout worshipers. As a rule, a 
devout religious sentiment, coupled with the spirit of 
worship fulness, is a characteristic mark of the people, 
and has been for many years. 

LOWER ST. Stephen's parish church — ^.now 

MATTAPONY 

By Rev. John Moncure, D. D. 

There is a section of Virginia where the Church once 
flourished; where, in Colonial days, our people from the 
motherland came to make their new homes, bringing 
with them the religious teachings handed down through 
the ages by their forefathers, and building houses of 
worship in the land of their adoption. Time has 
wrought many changes, and among them the elimina- 
tion alike of name and memory of many of these houses. 

In the northern part of the county of Middlesex and 
throughout the counties of King William and King and 
Queen there is not one Colonial church where the serv- 
ices of the Book of Common Prayer are read to-day. 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 61 

Yet time was when it was the book of worship of the 
country. In this section there are no less than six, and 
probably more, Colonial churches which are now occu- 
pied by other religious bodies, they having been aban- 
doned by their original occupants more than a hundred 
years ago. 

Among these venerable buildings is the Old Brick 
or Lower Church of St. Stephen's Parish, King and 
Queen County. It stands in the southern section of the 
county, near the King William line, about three miles 
from the Mattapony River, in a body of woods in which 
are many of the fine old trees that, like the church, have 
been identified with the lives of those who worshiped in 
the latter and now sleep their dreamless slumber under 
their branches and its walls. Could the whisperings of 
the winds through the branches of these giants of the 
forest be translated into words and become the story of 
long-gone days, many indeed would be the interesting 
lives which would be brought to light. 

The building is of brick; whether brought from Eng- 
land in accordance with the prevalent tradition or not, 
is not known. For solidity of construction and archi- 
tectural beauty it has not its superior, and probably not 
its equal, among the churches of Old Virginia. The 
walls are three feet in thickness. The brickwork is as 
nearly perfect as is known in the mason's art, the mor- 
tar being of adamantine hardness and looking as fresh 
as if it had been spread but a few months, showing the 
marks of the trowel with peculiar clearness. The bricks 
are alternately glazed and plain, this arrangement con- 
tributing greatly to the quaintness and beauty. The 
joists and the great timbers under the roof are of oak 
and poplar, some being so large that one's arms can 
scarcely more than span them. They are as firm and 
sound throughout as when first put in place: this after 
a duration of two hundred years. 

The church is cruciform, of lofty proportions, and 
was built to seat about seven hundred people. Origi- 
nally the aisles were laid with flagstones, but these have 
long since been removed. The ceilings are vaulted, in 
designs that are churchly and very attractive. 



62 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

At the north angle of the cross once stood the old 
" three-decker " pulpit with the great sounding-board, 
without which no Colonial church was complete. These 
two have passed away. In the east end of the cross was 
the chancel, with its reredos, on which in gilt letters are 
painted the Lord's Prayer, the Apostles' Creed, and 
the Ten Commandments, with the name of God in He- 
brew above them. It is Gothic in form, being sur- 
rounded and adorned at the apex and corners by repre- 
sentations of lighted tapers. The coloring is still rich 
and beautiful, and a retouch would make this reredos 
one of the most beautiful of its kind in Virginia. 

The churchyard is not less interesting than the church 
itself. Here are the tombs of some, and the unidenti- 
fied graves of very many, who were doubtless of the 
leading people of the State. At the southeastern corner 
of the church are the graves of George Braxton, Esq., 
and his wife, the parents of Carter Braxton, a signer of 
the Declaration of Independence. Over each is a mar- 
ble slab, in which the inscriptions are scarcely decipher- 
able, but with some difficulty one may read that of Mr. 
Braxton, as follows: "Here lies the body of George 
Braxton, Esq., who departed this life the first day of 
July, 17 1 8, in the -ist year of his age, leaving issue a 
son and two daughters. He died much lamented; a 
good Christian, tender parent, kind master, a friendly, 
charitable neighbor." 

Before the door leading into the north transept is a 
marble slab. One must almost step on it in entering the 
church. The inscription, thanks to interested friends of 
Virginia antiquities, has been rechiseled. It reads as 
follows: "Jacob Lumpkin, Obit 14 die September, 
1708. i^tatis 64. Dux Militum, Victor Hostium, 
Morte Victus. Pax adsit, vives requies, Eterna 
Sepultis." 

So many are the unmarked and entirely defaced 
graves that, to avoid digging into them, those who use 
the churchyard now must bury their dead quite a dis- 
tance from the building. 

There is very little to learn from the church in refer- 
ence to its history, — only a fragment here and there. 




l^owER Church of St. Steven's Parish, now Mattapony Church 

Burial place of father and mother of Carter Braxton and tonjb of Captain Jacob Lumpkin, 

obit, 1708. 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 63 

On a brick over the southern or front door Is the name 
" David Minitree," and on another brick the letters 
" W. L." The name, Thomas Hogg, is over one of the 
windows. As to who these were, there is, as with the 
sleepers in the churchyard, the great silence. 

The Bible of the old church has been rescued from 
the ravages of the past. It gives its testimony as to the 
name and antiquity of the church, which might other- 
wise not be known. It is a well-preserved book, bound 
in undressed calf. On the back is the name " Brick 
Church." On a fly-leaf, in a very legible hand, the ink 
being remarkably well preserved, are the words : " The 
Lower Church of St. Stephen's Parish, in King and 
Queen. Anno 1733, June." 

The font is also among the articles preserved. It is 
of attractive design, the bowl large enough to contain 
about ten gallons of water. It was, many years ago, 
presented to the Old Fork Church, in Hanover, where 
it now is in use. 

Little is known positively of the rectors and people 
who worshiped in the old church. Bishop Meade men- 
tions the parish and some interesting facts concerning 
it, but his statements are based upon merely fragmentary 
testimony. Among other things he says: "This par- 
ish was probably established in 1691, there being no 
account certain of it." In a footnote he states that in 
1724 the Rev. John Goodwin was minister. The parish 
was thirty miles long, and had three hundred families 
and sixty communicants. The first minister of whom 
there is record was the Rev. John Skaife, who was in 
charge in 171 1. He is mentioned in Dr. Dashiel's 
work on the " Councils in Virginia." Others were the 
Revs. H. Dunbar, 1753, and Thomas Andrews, 1793. 
There is a part of the county, called Dunbar, which can 
trace its name to the clergyman. A remarkably fine 
apple has been produced on this place, and is called the 
" Dunbar." His name lives in a good fruit, typical, let 
it be hoped, of a life fruitful in good works. 

The names of Anderson Scott and Henry Young ap- 
pear as lay delegates in 1785, and those of Thomas Hill 
and William Fleet in 1796. The building was not used 



64 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

much after the Rev^olution, and finally was entirely de- 
serted, and remained so for fifty years. In 1824 the 
Baptists began using it, occupying it for twelve years 
before, by a grant from the Governor of Virginia, they 
became its owners. They have been in possession ever 
since, and some of the most aggressive and useful works 
of that denomination in Virginia have emanated from 
those who worshiped in the old church. 

Many Baptist ministers in this and foreign lands have 
received their religious training here. The first minis- 
ter of the body here was the Rev. William Todd, a man 
of great usefulness and consecration. His influence was 
so great that in the old Bible is written " Todd's Meet- 
ing House," as the name of the church when he was 
minister. It is now known as the Old Mattapony 
Church. One of the most useful laymen under Mr. 
Todd was Mr. Pollard, who, with his wife, was among 
the first members and most earnest worshipers. It was 
through his interest that his people became owners of 
the building after its abandonment, and it is through the 
kindness and courtesy of a descendant of his, Mr. Rob- 
ert Pollard, who lives near by, and who is a deacon of 
the church, that much of the foregoing account has been 
obtained. 

The interior of the church has been remodeled, the 
old floor being covered by one of plank raised two feet 
above the original foundation. The chancel is parti- 
tioned off, but behind it is the old reredos. In exca- 
vating beneath the chancel to arrange a baptistry, in 
1855, human remains were found, supposedly those of 
the first rector. These were reverently reinterred be- 
neath the church. 

MATTAPONY CHURCH RECORDS 

1842 Jan. 8th. — The term of Bro. Evans, who occu- 
pied our pulpit every 4th Sunday, having expired, Bro. 
R. H. Bagby, who had been licensed to preach, was 
called to supply his place and the call accepted. 

1842 July 9th. — Bro. R. H. Bagby regularly or- 
dained to the ministery. 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 65 

Bro. Collins, of Pittsburg, Penn., a noted revivalist, 
being providentially with us, at his instance a protracted 
meeting was commenced. Preaching and prayer was 
held at the church during the day and from house to 
house at night. The religious feeling produced by the 
preaching of Bro. Collins and others was so great that 
nearly every family was brought under its influence, not 
only in this community, but throughout the whole sur- 
rounding country, and the interest continued to extend, 
until it became the greatest revival of religion ever 
known in this section of the country. Hundreds were 
added to the churches; to this church alone, on the 17th 
of July, 1842, were baptized 45 white and 37 colored, 
and on August 14th, 28 white and 25 colored, — total 
135. The interest continued and many more were 
brought into the church. 

1842 Dec. loth. — Bro. R. H. Bagby dismissed to 
join Bruington Church, being called to the pastorate of 
that church. It seems that he continued to preach at 
Mattapony till Aug., 1843. 

When Mr. John Bagby died he had over 50 grand- 
children, many great-grandchildren, and one great- 
great-grandchild. This would be interesting to many. 

By B. H. W. 

I propose to write some account of the people, old 
colonial seats, and incidents connected with the people 
of long ago, on and near the Mattapony River. 

''the mount ^' 

If my information is correct, the home of the Todd 
family near Dunkirk, called " The Mount," is the old- 
est colonial residence on the upper waters of the Mat- 
tapony. 

When the Todds first came to this country they set- 
tled in Gloucester County, at Toddsbury. One of the 
family accompanied Gov. Spottswood on his expedition 
over the Blue Ridge Mountains, and was one of the 
Knights of the Horse Shoe. One branch of the family 
moved to King and Queen and made a home near Dun- 



66 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

kirk, which place at first was called Todds. There they 
acquired large possessions in lands and built on a very 
commanding bluff overlooking the Mattapony flats and 
river. The original owner was William Todd, who 
married a Miss Waring and died leaving a large fam- 
ily. The oldest son, also called William, inherited, 
under the law of primogeniture, all the landed estate, 
and Mrs. Todd was left comparatively poor with a 
number of sons. Being a woman of energy and judg- 
ment, she opened a hotel at Dunkirk, and, being suc- 
cessful, was enabled to educate her children, sending one 
son to Edinburgh, Scotland, to be educated as a 
physician. 

There is a tradition that this place, now known as 
the " Mount," was the residence of Henry Edmond 
Washington (see Thackeray's "The Virginians"), 
and called by him " Fanny's Mount," after his wife, 
who was Fanny Mountain. 

William Todd, 2d, left two daughters, one of whom 
married Samuel G. Fauntleroy, Sr., and the other Mr. 
Macon of Hanover. Mr. Fauntleroy was the last man 
in^tFe county to use the coach and four. He continued 
to take his family to Bruington Church in his 
coach and four long after other families had discontin- 
ued the custom. 

So this large landed estate passed from the Todds to 
the Fauntleroys, and some of it is still held by them. 



MONTVILLE 

On the King William side of the river is the village 
of Ayletts, founded by the family of that name. Philip 
Aylett did not build " Montville " on the river, but on 
the hills near the village of Ayletts. (It was not a 
colonial residence.) He married a daughter of Patrick 
Henry. His son, General William Aylett, inherited 
the old home, and after him, his son, Colonel W. R. 
Aylett. 

On the hills overlooking Ayletts lived Robert (called 
Robin) Pollard, who for many years was clerk of King 
William. He was noted as a fox hunter, and for many 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 67 

years chased Reynard successfully. He wore on his 
hunting suit large silver buttons, which were objects of 
admiration to me in my early childhood. 

" CHATHAM HILL." 

Just below Ayletts on the King and Queen side was 
the residence of Joseph Temple, called " Chatham 
Hill," after the residence of Sir William Temple of 
England. His estate was a small one, but he raised a 
large family of children. Across on the King William 
side lived his brother, William Temple, in a large, com- 
modious house, without children. 

" PRESKILE '' 

Near by on the King William side is Preskile (or 
Presquile). I am unable to learn much of this old 
country seat. (Since writing the above I have become 
satisfied that Preskile was the residence of William Tem- 
ple, brother of Joseph Temple of " Chatham Hill.") 
Early in the nineteenth century it was owned by Dr. 
Barrett, but I do not know that his family built the 
original home. 

" NORTH BANK " 

Opposite to this place is " North Bank," another old 
colonial building. The early history of this place is 
not known to me. Some seventy-five or one hundred 
years ago it was owned by Mr. Benjamin Pollard, 
brother of Robin Pollard of King William. He lost 
his wife in early life, and always after lived a widower 
with one daughter. He kept open house, and the sport- 
ing gentlemen of the surrounding country frequently 
resorted there for hunting, card-playing, etc. Among 
those who would come there for the good dinners and 
liquors was a man named Gatewood, who, though a 
member of the church, was fond of his drarn. His con- 
science was not altogether easy on the subject, and he 
was accustomed to say, when taking his liquor, " What 
little I drink don't hurt me." Among others who fre- 



68 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

quented Mr. Pollard's house was Tom Redd, a wit and 
boon companion, who was too fond of his cups, but, 
taking the cue from Mr. Gatewood, would say, " What 
little I drink don't hurt me." He would repeat that in 
Mr. Gatewood's presence until it had become very ob- 
noxious to him, and he had come to dislike Tom Redd 
very much. Upon one occasion, when a party of gen- 
tlemen were at Mr. Pollard's, Mr. Gatewood rode up. 
Mr. Pollard invited him in. He inquired if Mr. Redd 
was there, and the gentleman, in fun, assured him that 
he was not, while in fact he was, but had hid himself in 
a closet near the sideboard on which the liquors were 
placed. Being satisfied that Tom Redd was not there, 
Mr. Gatewood came in, and as he raised his glass to 
his mouth, Tom Redd poked his head out and said, 
" What little I drink don't hurt me." Mr. Gatewood 
instantly put down his glass without drinking his toddy, 
and mounted his horse and rode away. 

" BEUDLEY " (the RESIDENCE OF THE LATE BISHOP 

latane) 

Near by on the King and Queen side is Beudley, built, 
I suppose, by Captain Mariott, a Scotch gentleman. 
He used to say that the place was called Beudley in 
" grandeur." He married the widow of John Walker, 
who was born a Baylor and left by her first husband 
three children, Baylor, Susannah, and Elizabeth. By 
her second marriage there were no children, and as her 
children were all in affluent circumstances, she left a 
part of her landed estate, called Smithfield, consist- 
ing of a thousand acres, to St. Stephen's parish, the in- 
come from it to be applied to the education of the poor 
children in that parish. Since the Civil War this land 
has been diverted from its original purpose and sold 
to individual parties. 

Across the river Hved the Roanes, an old and influ- 
ential family, but they, as far as I know, had no colo- 
nial seat. 

John Roane, Sr., represented his district in Congress 
for many years, and was succeeded by his son, John 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 69 

Roane, Jr. The life of the latter was a very dissolute 
one, and, being exposed unrelentingly by John Gwath- 
mey, was the cause of his defeat. I do not now remem- 
ber the gentleman who succeeded him. His brother, 
Newman Roane, married the daughter of William 
Gregory. When they were standing before the parson 
he was asked for the license. He put his hand in his 
vest pocket and then said, " Total neglect." Though 
there was no Hcense, the fathers of the bride and groom 
consenting, the ceremony was performed. The mar- 
riage was an unhappy one, and was dissolved by the 
legislature (the courts not having jurisdiction over di- 
vorce at that time) on the ground of cruelty. One son 
resulted from that marriage. Colonel Junius B. Roane. 
Another portion of the family lived at Goshen in King 
and Queen. Judge Spencer Roane, at one time one of 
the judges of the Supreme Court of Virginia, was a 
member of that branch of the family. 

" CANTERBURY " 

Situated near Beudley is Canterbury, the home of the 
Gwathmeys. That family has held it in possession for 
perhaps one hundred and fifty years, and still owns the 
old home, though much of the original farm has passed 
into other hands. Early in the history of the place it 
was owned by Owen Gwathmey. Between him and 
William Temple, who lived at Rose Mount, there was 
a bitter feud, and one night, as William Temple sat by 
his open window, he was severely wounded in his head 
and shoulder from a shotgun held by a negro. The 
negro was arrested and confessed that he was instigated 
to commit the crime by Mr. Gwathmey. At that day 
the testimony of a slave could not be taken against a 
white man, nor could a slave be hung, and so he was 
transported. 

" WHITE HALL " 

The next colonial house is White Hall, the seat of the 
Garlick family. It passed out of their hands some 
seventy-five or one hundred years ago. When I first 
knew the place it was owned by Mr. James Govan, 



70 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

called at that time in some unaccountable way, " Giv- 
ings." Mr. Govan married a daughter of Samuel G. 
Fauntleroy, and was a man of considerable fortune and 
very aristocratic in his feelings. His wife went to church 
in her two-horse carriage, his children in a barouche, 
and he in his sulky with fine horse and trappings. I 
remember that my interest and admiration was excited 
by his silver saddle stirrups. This fine old place is now 
in the hands of foreigners, who have no regard for its 
history and the honored dead who lie in its cemetery. 

"locust grove" (formerly "rye field") 

After this old seat comes " Rye Field," now called 
Locust Grove, the seat of the Walker family. 

Late in the seventeenth century. Colonel Thomas 
Walker, the third of that name, obtained from King 
James II. of England a grant of land fronting for ten 
miles on the Mattapony. Soon after settling there they 
founded Walkerton, built a large stone house and gran- 
ary, a large flour mill, cooper shops, cotton gin and com- 
press, etc. Colonel Walker built his home on the sec- 
ond rise from the river, as in that early day there was 
great danger of a surprise by the Indians to those living 
immediately on the bank of the river. As there was 
constant danger of an uprising of the Indians, he built 
a fort or blockhouse near his residence for protection, 
not only for his own family, but also for the neighbors, 
who would flee to it when danger threatened. This 
house was burned and then rebuilt on the banks of the 
river a half-mile below the village of Walkerton. 

While Colonel Walker was a member of the House 
of Burgesses, his daughter, Mary Peachy, was married 
to Dr. Gilmer of Williamsburg. He gave her a dowry 
of £5000 sterling, and they moved to Albemarle county. 
Her marriage was celebrated in St. Clemen's Church of 
St. Stephen's parish. This church was allowed to go to 
decay, and now even the brickbats have been carted 
away. In some unaccountable way this church after- 
wards became known as " Apple Tree Church." 

Colonel Walker left three children, Mary Peachy, 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 71 

John, and Dr. Thomas Walker. The latter also moved 
to Albemarle, and married, first, Mildred, widow of 
'^— — -—^ Meriwether, and after her death, Elizabeth 
Thornton, first cousin to his first wife and sister of Mil- 
dred Thornton, who was the second of the five wives of 
Colonel Samuel Washington, brother of General George 
Washington. The family seat. Locust Grove, has up 
to the present time remained in the Walker family. 

Near Locust Grove was the home of the Tunstall 
family. The original building has long since gone to 
decay. The usual style of the colonial buildings of that 
period was a square house with a large hall running 
through, two stories high, and with four chimneys. But 
the Tunstall house was in the shape of the letter U 
with the ends next the river, and a court between the 
wings. This place was sold by the Tunstalls to Robert 
Temple, son of Joseph Temple of Chatham Hill. 

The Tunstalls were prominent in the county and con- 
nected with the Brookes of Mantapike, Baylors, Walk- 
ers, etc. Some of the family were clerks of the county 
for many years. The Mr. Tunstall who was the last 
of the family to be clerk of the county, moved across 
the county on the Dragon Swamp, and built him a home. 
He died about 1790, and his family moved to Norfolk, 
where his descendants still reside and have kept the 
good family name untarnished. Mr. R. Brooke Tun- 
stall, a prominent lawyer of Norfolk, some years ago 
came up to King and Queen and visited the old Tun- 
stall home on the Mattapony and the home of his grand- 
father on the Dragon. While there he met some ne- 
groes who told him that they worked the farm, but did 
not remain there at night, and when he asked them why 
they did not live there, replied that they were afraid 
to do so because many years ago some old Tunstalls 
lived there, and they were a frolicsome people, and still 
came there at night and danced in the parlor. It is a 
tradition that Mr. Tunstall was fond of the gayeties and 
dissipations that prevailed at that day, and in building 
his home made his parlor unusually large, so that there 
would be room enough for persons to sit around, while 
the dancers occupied the center of the room, and enjoy 



72 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

watching the cotillon and the old Virginia reel. That 
was before the day of the round and hugging dances, 

" ENDFIELD " 

I failed to mention the large farm, Endfield, oppo- 
site Walkerton, owned in the early history of the county 
by the Berkeley family. The family never lived there, 
but it was kept for a " quarter," as such places were' then 
designated. Some eighty or one hundred years ago a 
widow Berkeley married a Mr. Cooke, an Episcopal 
parson. An anecdote is current in regard to him, that 
he was a poor man, and even the horse which he rode 
was a borrowed one, and during the marriage ceremony, 
when he had to repeat the words, " And with all my 
worldly goods I thee endow," some one in the company 
said, " There goes the parson's saddlebags." 

This farm is still owned by Parson Cooke's descend- 
ants. 

" HILLSBOROUGH " 

Next to the Tunstalls came Hillsborough, built by 
Colonel Humphrey Hill. He was a man of large means 
and carried on a large mercantile business, buying his 
goods in England and sending back cargoes of tobacco. 
Up to some twenty years ago the old tobacco warehouse 
was still standing. The foundation of this warehouse 
was laid on large solid rocks, brought from England as 
ballast. This house was well and substantially built. 
It has a handsome black-walnut stairway. In this house, 
as well as other colonial houses, the chimneys in the 
basement have an arched fireplace, but there is no flue 
passing upward from the arch. No one has ever ex- 
plained to me why such places should be left in the 
chimney. They certainly did not strengthen the chim- 
ney, and very few bricks were saved by leaving the 
opening. 

There was an arrangement on this house which I 
never saw on any other. Under the second-story win- 
dows there were earthenware martin nests in the shape 
of flower pots fastened to the house by wooden pegs. 
When visiting there, my early morning naps were often 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 73 

disturbed by the chattering of the martins. This place 
was sold by Mr. Charles Hill, the grandson of Colonel 
Humphrey Hill, to William Temple, who made a 
present of it to his sister, Mrs. Betsey Henley, the wife 
of T. M. Henley; and a member of that family still 
owns it. 

" RICKAHOC " 

The next colonial residence is Rickahoc (pronounced 
Rick-'a-hoc, with an accent on the " hoc "). The build- 
ing was destroyed by fire some thirty years ago. It was 
the seat of the Smith family more than one hundred 
years ago. Francis Smith represented that district in 
Congress prior to the time that the Roanes did so. An 
old gentleman, Charles Chilton, told me when I was a 
boy, that when he was a boy he visited Rickahoc during 
Mr. Smith's life, and that it was then the most elegant 
country residence he ever saw. The grounds were well 
laid out and ornamented, and the approach to the river, 
though steep, was graded and well kept. The interior 
of the house was painted in imitation of the President's 
house in Washington. The Smith family left the county 
perhaps one hundred years ago, and the place has passed 
through many hands since. 

The Rickahoc building was a one-storied building, 
with four rooms and a wide hall on the first floor. The 
roof was very steep, and the upper rooms were large 
and comfortable. 

" MANTUA " 

Next to Rickahoc was Mantua. I cannot learn the 
early history of this estate. Carter Braxton, the signer 
of the Declaration of Independence, owned it once, and 
his grandson, Carter M. Braxton, at a later date owned 
it and lived there, but before that it was owned by 
Charles Hill. 

Attached to the Mantua estate is a large marsh. Mr. 
Hill conceived the idea that it could be diked and made 
arable. He threw up a heavy dike around it and planted 
corn on it. The ditching, diking, etc., cost him $5000. 
The man who was his manager told me that the com 



74 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

crop was by far the heaviest that he ever saw, and Mr. 
Hill realized $5000 from the sale of the corn. Next 
year he attempted to raise another corn crop, but the 
ground had sunk a foot or more and the muskrats cut 
his dike in so many places, letting the water in, that the 
crop failed entirely. Then he tried rice, but did not suc- 
ceed in that, and so the attempt to make it arable failed; 
but since the marsh has returned to its natural condition, 
it is one of the finest grounds for sora on the Matta- 
pony. I have sometimes fancied that as so much shot 
has been used over it, it might ultimately be used as a 
lead mine. 

" EGGLESTON " 

Across the river from Mantua is Eggleston, the colo- 
nial home of the Chamberlain family. It passed out 
of their hands many years ago, and the many acres of 
open land are now mostly overgrown in scrub oak and 
briars. One of the Chamberlain family became a sailor 
and vessel-owner. He loaded three vessels with grain 
and started one evening in March down the river with 
all three vessels, but neither he nor his vessels were ever 
heard of again. What became of them has been an 
entire mystery. 

Adjoining the farm Mantua was many years ago a 
large manufacturing mill, built in colonial times, from 
which large quantities of flour were shipped to the West 
Indies. 

" HOCKLEY NECK " 

Just below this mill is the large farm Hockley Neck, 
owned many years ago by Mr. William Gregory, who 
at the time lived across the river at Sandy Point. This 
farm was always kept as a " quarter " and managed by 
an overseer. 

" SANDY POINT " 

Across the river from Hockley Neck was Sandy 
Point, at one time the residence of William Gregory. 
The colonial house there was built in 1758 by George 
Braxton, the father of Carter Braxton, as a home for 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 75 

his son. It soon passed out of the latter's possession, 
and Mr. William Gregory purchased it in 1820 from 
Mr. William Burnett Brown. This house was burned 
in 1830 and rebuilt by Mr. Gregory. There is an old 
tradition that while the house was burning Mr. Greg- 
ory was very solicitous to get his barrel (?) of silver 
out of the burning building. For that, however, I do 
not vouch. This information, except that about the 
barrel of silver, was given me by my friend. Judge 
Roger Gregory. Another tradition in regard to Mr. 
William Gregory is that he liked to go to King Wil- 
liam Court, which occurred on the fourth Monday in 
March, and brag that he had finished planting corn. I 
know the fact that it was done at a very early day at his 
farm, Hockley Neck. 

" MANTAPIKE " 

Adjoining Hockley Neck is Mantapike, the home of 
the Brooke family for many generations. Colonel 
Richard Brooke, the last of the name who lived there, 
was a man of distinction and wealth. The building, of 
the usual colonial style of that day, stood on the banks 
of the Mattapony. Some fifty years ago it was pulled 
down and the timbers used in the construction of a more 
modern house away from the river. At this place was 
a large fishery, at which as many as a thousand shad 
were sometimes caught in a day. In the early history of 
the country there was a ferry and a road leading to 
Williamsburg. On the opposite side of the river, even 
now, can be seen the evidence of a wide roadbed 
through a long stretch of marsh or lowlands. The tra- 
dition is that it was a " national " road leading to Wil- 
liamsburg. Mantapike was at one time a place of some 
commercial importance, and a shipping point for to- 
bacco, having a large tobacco warehouse. 

" NEWINGTON " 

Adjoining Mantapike was Newington, established 
very early in the history of the county by the Lumpkin 
family. Very little is known of the family history. At 



76 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

the Mattapony Church there is a marble slab over the 
remains of Jacob Lumpkin, with the date 1708. On 
the same estate there still exists the foundation of a 
large building. The foundation walls are very thick, 
but nothing is known of its history. 

The place came into the possession of George Brax- 
ton early in the eighteenth century, and he commenced 
many improvements on it which he never completed. 
Becoming involved in debt, he sold it to John Roane, 
who raised a family of twelve children; being a man 
of large wealth, he left each of the twelve a consider- 
able estate. Newington he devised to his son, John 
Roane, Jr., who was addicted to drink. He had mar- 
ried a Miss Frazier, a lovely girl, but socially beneath 
him. This fact preyed on his mind, and one day, in a 
drunken condition, he cut her throat and then the throat 
of his butler and attempted that of his underbutler, but 
the latter hid himself in a barrel and so saved his life. 
Mr. Roane was promptly arrested, tried, and con- 
demned to death, but the night before the day on which 
he was to be hung some friend supplied him with laud- 
anum, and he died from the effects of it. 

Across the river from Newington was the colonial 
home of another family of Hills. Colonel John Hill 
was perhaps the last of the family that lived there. My 
father. Temple Walker, and his brother, Baylor 
Walker, married two of Colonel Hill's daughters. At 
that day much of the journeying to visit among the old 
families living on the river was done in rowboats. One 
spring, when my father was going from his home to 
Colonel Hill's, a large sturgeon jumped in his boat, and 
when he arrived he told Colonel Hill if he would send 
to the landing he could have sturgeon steak for breaks 
fast. This splendid old mansion was dismantled and 
the timbers used to build a modern house at Frazier's 
Ferry for Mr. Phil. Gibson. 

" MELROSE " 

Melrose is the next place in King and Queen on which 
was situated a colonial building. I cannot ascertain the 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 77 

early history of this place. It was occupied some 
seventy-five years ago by the Rowe family, but I do not 
know that they were the original owners. This place 
was bought since the Civil War by Mr. Jacob Turner, 
and he dismantled the house and sold enough bricks 
from the walls to pay the purchase money for the place. 

" HUNTINGDON " 

Across the river in King William is Huntingdon, the 
seat of the Southerland family. It came into the pos- 
session of the Gregory family by bequest of Mrs. Fen- 
dal Southerland to her granddaughter, who was the 
granddaughter of William Gregory and wife of Mr. 
Thomas W. S. Gregory. Huntingdon has for many 
years been abandoned as a dwelling. 

" PLEASANT HILL " 

The next colonial residence in King and Queen is 
Pleasant Hill, built and for many years occupied by the 
Robinson family. It was burned since the Civil War. 
Here lived Henry Robinson, for many years Speaker 
of the House of Burgesses. Upon one occasion, when 
Colonel George Washington was addressing the House, 
giving in a modest and hesitating manner an account 
of his military operations, Mr. Robinson from the chair 
said to him, "Sit down. Colonel Washington; your 
modesty equals your courage." 

" CHELSEA " 

Across the river from Pleasant Hill is Chelsea, the 
colonial home of the Moores, a family of considerable 
^stinction in the early days of the colony. There lived 
Bernard Moore, who married a daughter of Governor 
Spottswood, and accompanied the latter in his trans- 
montane expedition. Chelsea was a splendid old coun- 
try seat. It is now in the hands of strangers, and, I 
hear, marred by late additions. Up to the time of the 
Civil War it remained in the family, being owned by 
Mr. Benjamin "Robinson, who married a Miss Moore. 



78 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 
" LANEVILLE " 

The next of the colonial seats, as far as I am informed, 
is Laneville, the home for many generations of the Cor- 
bin family. I do not know at what time it was built, 
but it must have been very early in the history of the 
country. At the beginning of the Revolution it is 
stated that Governor Dunmore sent many of the 
archives of the colony over to Laneville, where they 
were deposited in a subterranean cellar connected with 
the building. I do not know this, but it is probable if 
it be a fact (as it is said to be) that the Corbin who 
was then the owner of Laneville was a royalist. I 
spent a night at this old place some sixty-five years ago. 
It was then still owned by James Park Corbin, but oc- 
cupied by Mr. Benjamin Robins. I was impressed with 
the length of the building. The middle portion was of 
two stories, square built, with four large rooms and a 
spacious hall passing through it, and flanked by two 
wings in which were pantries, storerooms, servants' 
quarters, bedrooms, etc. A tradition is that Colonel 
Corbin had his reception and sleeping rooms in one 
end of the building, while Mrs. Corbin occupied the 
other end, and that when he paid her a visit he ordered 
his coach and four and drove in formal style the length 
of the house to her reception room. Whether the roy- 
alist partisanship of the Corbin family in the days of 
the Revolution was a fact or not, Colonel Richard Cor- 
bin was a true man at the time of the War of 1812 with 
England, and presented the county of King and Queen 
with two brass cannon, which, during the Civil War, 
were sent to Richmond for the Confederate government. 
The Corbin family possessed great wealth, as wealth 
was counted in that day, and it was a common saying 
years ago, when speaking of a rich man, to say, " He 
was as rich as Corbin." Colonel Richard Corbin owned 
considerable property at King and Queen Courthouse; 
he or his father built the old tavern there, which was 
quite an imposing building at the time. It, along with 
every other building, both public and private, was 
burned by the Yankees during the Civil War. 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 79 

On the Laneville estate, near the public road, there 
was a church building which long ago went to decay, 
and the bricks and tiles which floored its aisles were 
carried away. Some of the tiles were used as floors in 
the basements of private houses. This church was the 
parish church of Stratton Major parish, the register of 
which is still in the Georgetown Episcopal School, and 
a copy in the Virginia Historical Society in Richmond, 

Mr. James Park Corbin was the last of the name who 
owned Laneville. It then came into the possession of 
Colonel Robert Bland, and is still held by some of his 
descendants. The original house has long since disap- 
peared. I do not know whether the building at Dud- 
ley's Ferry, opposite West Point, was a colonial resi- 
dence, but think it was not. 

West Point and the farm back of it deserve some no- 
tice. If tradition is true, the farm was owned by 
Captain West. It was originally a very large one, con- 
taining some two or three thousand acres, and extend- 
ing from river to river; yet it had only one house. 

Early in the nineteenth century there was a consider- 
able town of West Point, but it gradually decayed owing 
to the unhealthfulness of the location. When the rail- 
road was built to the point there was only one house 
standing, and that unoccupied and dilapidated. I saw 
it when the land now occupied by the town was in culti- 
vation. It was then owned by Hon. William P. Tay- 
lor, who sold a part of his farm to the West Point Land 
Company, at the time that the railroad came to West 
Point. It is likely that he was mainly instrumental in 
building the West Point Colonial Church, which stands, 
though in a dilapidated condition, with but few altera- 
tions from its original construction. It ought by all 
means to be repaired and restored to its original state. 
It is a shame on the State to allow such splendid build- 
ings to fall to decay and become the home of moles and 
bats. 

REMINISCENCES 

It is well for us to ask now and then what others 
think and say of us; and Burns's couplet is still in force : 



80 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

" Oh, wad some power the giftie gie us, 
To see oorsels, as ithers see us ! " 

The writer, not long since, came across a book by Wil- 
liam Kyle Anderson, of Detroit, Mich., which relates 
to the Robertson, Taylor, and Anderson families, for- 
merly of King and Queen. In 1897, desirous of gain- 
ing information regarding these families, of one of 
which he was a member, he made a trip from Detroit 
to Virginia. Beginning on page 27 of his book, we 
read as follows: 



" Three years ago we made a journey to the Old Dominion with 
the intention of running down to King and Queen and of having a 
look at the old stamping grounds, and locating the very spot where 
our ancestors lived and died. How best to reach there was a ques- 
tion, for means of locomotion are still in a primitive condition down 
that way, and very much as they were a century ago. There is no 
railroad in the County. The Mattapony River extends along the 
southern border, and occasional boats from Norfolk and the Chesa- 
peake ascend it, but that was too roundabout to our Mecca. The way 
we had to take was across country and the means of locomotion such 
as we might find. By the aid of friends in Richmond, the way was 
mapped out. Taking a train on the York River Railroad, we alighted 
at a station, or rather a siding, known as Sweet Hall, which we 
found absolutely devoid of humanity either white or black. After 
some search, we found a pickaninny who for a slight subsidy went 
in search of a neighboring farmer, who owned a good buggy and 
team and consented to drive us to Frazier's Ferry on the Mattapony, 
a distance of some seven miles. There we were ferried in a skiff 
across the river, and some two miles down stream to what is known 
as King and Queen Court-House landing. A warehouse once stood 
there, but now there is only a dilapidated shanty and a broken-down 
dock. No human being greeted our arrival. It was a broiling hot day, 
and we looked in vain for any means of transportation to the Court- 
House, three-quarters of a mile. [Would it have hurt him to walk?] 

" Seeing the dilemma in which we were placed, the ferryman offered, 
for a small fee, to take our bag and guide our steps to the Court House, 
by a shady path and through piny woods. In this primitive fashion we 
journeyed to our destination. 

"We found the village to consist of the following buildings: Court 
House and Clerk's office — both substantial brick buildings of one story — 
a diminutive ten- or twenty-foot jail in which one lone prisoner lan- 
guished, a general country store, and a farmhouse of moderate size. 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 81 

dignified as " the Hotel. " No hospitable landlord greeted us as we 
crossed the threshold. It looked like Goldsmith's ' Deserted Village '. 
An ancient, rheumatic dog wagged us a welcome, and soon a colored 
woman, bearing a pitcher of fresh water, informed us that ' de white 
folks soon be here, and glad to take care of yo '. 

" The aged county clerk, who had held the office more than fifty 
years, had gone fishing, but we invaded his office, impatient to have 
a look at the records. Greatly to our dismay we could find none earlier 
than 1864. In that year, a raid from Norfolk (Gloucester Point) made 
by the Union force, burned the old Court House and clerk's office with 
all the old records. It was a sore disappointment, for we had hoped 
to find deeds of the Rogers, Robertson and Semple families. Also 
wills, marriages, etc. 

" Balked in our expectations thus far, we determined, nevertheless, 
to prosecute our journey, and get some information. We were not al- 
together disappointed. 

" Rosemount, the old Semple home, was easily found. It was a 
beautiful and extensive farm on a high plateau one mile back from 
the Mattapony River, but overlooking it, and much of King William 
on the opposite shore. It is about three miles northwest of Walkerton 
Village, and is now owned and occupied by Mr. William Dew, a gen- 
tleman who welcomed us with true Virginia hospitality. He pointed 
out the spot where the Semples were buried, but if there were any 
stones to mark the graves, none now remain. 

" The residence stood in part on the foundation of a storehouse, and 
an immense spreading oak overshadowed the house. An old man of 
80 years pointed out the site of the old Robertson place on the 
Mattapony River, four miles above Dunkirk. Nothing is now left 
to recall the very ancient homes of the Rogerses in the immediate neigh- 
borhood. The old Park Church is a pile of ruins, but we visited St. 
David's and (Old Cat Tail?) beyond the river; it must look back 
many years." (Pp. 27-31.) 

So writes William Kyle Anderson, Esq., himself a 
descendant of Mr. Robertson. This is an unvarnished 
statement, and it is true, as he saw it. Our people and 
their fathers before them were poor, being aloof from 
marts and markets; but they bred what is better than 
gold — intelligence, virtue, and contentment. 

Copy of an old paper saved from fires, furnished 
by Col. S. F. Harwood, June, 1905 : 

"The land at King and Queen C.-H. granted to Richard Tunstall 



82 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

1667 was bounded by Mattapony river to the south, east by Apastocock 
branch, and on the west by Quintanoco creek. Edmund Tunstall and 
wife conveyed one acre for the use of the county where the C. H. 
now stands. In 1707 the land was divided, Richard Wyatt, in right 
of his wife who was the widow of the said Edmund, took the land 
next the river. Mary, the oldest daughter, took the land on the creek; 
Catharine, who was Mrs. Matthews, took the middle part; Barbary 
took two acres adjoining the C. H. land, and the residence on Apas- 
tocock swamp. 1713 Barbary conveyed to R. D. Wyatt all her right 
except the two acres above. Thos. Fox and Mary his wife conveyed 
to John Wyatt 134 acres, her part except the dower. 1720 John 
Baylor bought two acres at C.-H., and 404 acres from R. D. Wyatt. 
1722 John Wyatt sold to Thos. Courtney 134 acres, also 66 acres, 
one-third of the widow's dower. 1728 John Matthews conveyed to 
Thos. Harwood 200 acres. 1739 Thos. Harwood willed (?) to his 
son John. 1739 John' Baylor sold to Christopher Harwood two acres 
bought of John Wyatt. 1744 Christopher Harwood devised to his 
son William the same." 

Attached to this paper is a cut showing the lands ad- 
joining the Courthouse. 

Smithfield was one thousand acres of land given to 
the county by Mrs. Mariott. She was a Miss Baylor 
of King and Queen or Essex County, and first mar- 
ried John Walker, who left two sons, John and Baylor, 
and two daughters, Elizabeth and Susannah, one of 
whom married Semple of Rose Mount, and was the 
mother of Bishop Robert Baylor Semple; the other 
daughter married Fleet, the father of Captain William 
Fleet, who was the father of Dr. C. B., Colonel Alex., 
and James R. Fleet. After the death of her first hus- 
band, Mrs. Walker married Captain Mariott, a Scotch- 
man, who lived at upper Beudley on the Mattapony 
River. They had no children. She donated one thou- 
sand acres of land to St. Stephen's parish, the income 
from said land to be applied to the education of the 
poor children in the said parish. 

Governor Lumpkin of Georgia was originally from 
King and Queen. 

Also Hon. Alex H. Stephens was originally from 
King and Queen, and Stevensville was named for his 
family. 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 83 

Colonel Robert M. Spencer, who lived at Clifton, 
was a prominent and highly esteemed man. Captain 
Robert H. Spencer, one of the best of men, served in 
the Confederate army. Alexander Dudley, a talented 
lawyer, was the founder of the Richmond and Y. R. 
R. R., and its president when he died. 

There were many other worthy and valuable old citi- 
zens in the neighborhood — among them J. W. Court- 
ney, Samuel Tunstall, Dr. and Thomas W. Garrett, 
Joel E. Bray, W. B. Bird, Samuel F. Harwood. 

The Old Church, a half-mile below Plymouth, was 
built in colonial times. This house is about nine miles 
below the Courthouse. 

Speaker Robinson built a magnificent home at Pleas- 
ant Hill, near Little Plymouth. Tradition tells us that 
as one approached from the highway, a noble colonnade 
with pilasters aloft, greeted him; and as he entered the 
colonnade, a tesselated floor, and doors and windows 
wrought in splendid mahogany delighted his taste and 
excited his wonder. 

Richard Corbin, Esq., at one time Treasurer of the 
Colony, erected a commodious house, 150 feet in length, 
some miles above Pleasant Hill, at Laneville. They 
tell us that his wine cellar was kept filled with choice 
Madeira, and there seems reason to believe that a sub- 
way led out to the sloping bank near the river. This 
was his home in 1775, when Patrick Henry compelled a 
return of the value of powder removed by Governor 
Dunmore from the magazine in Williamsburg. Fine 
dwellings graced the river bank at Clifton, Melrose, 
Mantua, Newington, and various other places. 

The following is from dictation by Captain R. H. 
Spencer : " Miss Polly Robinson, a daughter of Speaker 
Robinson, owned and lived at Clifton. Colonel Boyd 
married her. Dr. James T. Boyd owned and lived at 
Gainesboro, while Colonel R. H. Spencer lived at Clif- 
ton, in after times. 

" Pleasant Hill was about four miles below Clifton, 
one mile back from the river. In Speaker Robinson's 
day Pleasant Hill was a place of great splendor. I 
think Governor Spotswood married a Miss Moore, 



84 KING AKD QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

sister to Mrs. Robinson. The house was magnificent. 
Tall, huge columns to greet the coming guests, porch 
floors wrought in mosaic, doors and windows of im- 
ported mahogany. Chelsea, Melrose, and Rural Fe- 
licity were old homes of the Rowes. The last named 
was sold afterwards to Colonel Spencer. Boardly was 
the old home of James Govan and Richard Raines. By 
the waste of time and of its adjutants, natural decay and 
destructive fires, many of our old homes have disap- 
peared, and only the sites remain to tell their story. 
Pleasant Hill, Clifton, Melrose, Boardly, Mantapike, 
Newington, Mantua, Rickahock, Bunker's Hill (the 
old Bagby home), Locust Cottage, Spring Farm, have 
all suffered from one or all of these causes, though in 
some cases new buildings have taken the place of the 
old, notably at Clifton, Mantua, Melrose, Newington, 
Rickahock, and Locust Cottage." 

The following interesting letter was written by James 
Southgate, Esq. : 

In looking over some old papers a few days ago I came across 
some notes that I made in 1900 when I went through King and Queen 
in a visit to eastern Virginia, and among them I find the following 
in regard to Newington, about which we were talking when I saw 
you in Richmond and about which you had been unable to get any 
information from Mr. Harwood who lives there. If it will be of 
any use to you in getting up your book on King and Queen you are 
welcome to it. I don't know how how I secured this information, but 
probably from Robt. Spencer. 

I never was there but once, and when a boy I went home with one 
of the Harwood boys on Friday afternoon to spend Saturday and 
Sunday, and the inducement held out for my going was that the 
water was to be drawn off from a fish pond in the neighborhood 
and we could get a good lot of fish. We went and rode a mule 
and arrived too late to get any of the best fish and had to take cat- 
fish, and you know they have terrible fins. We put a good string 
of them on the pommel of the saddle and both of us got up on this 
mule but we found the fish were too near so we moved them over 
on the neck of the beast, and, as the fish were fluttering still, the said 
shoulders got the benefit of these terrible fins, which so irritated the 
animal that he relieved himself of the fish and also the boys that 
were on his back. But as we fell in deep sand there were no bones 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 85 

broken, and we got the fish home and had to cook them for a late 
dinner, and I remember it was the most delicious dinner I ever par- 
took of, but I have always thought that the keenness of the appetite 
was the reason. Newington was the original seat of the Lumpkin 
family. It was then owned by George Braxton, the father of the 
Carter Braxton who signed the Declaration of Independence. He died 
in 1736. It passed from the Braxtons to the Roanes, a family which 
were aristocratic and proud of their English descent. A son, John, 
married a Miss Frazier, a beautiful woman (from whose family 
Frazier's ferry is now called), but beneath him in point of family 
connections and standing in society. He so grieved over the mistake 
he made, that in a fit of desperation he killed his wife and the house 
servant, who tried to save the wife from the brutal attack of the 
husband. He was tried, convicted of murder, and sentenced to be 
hung, but before the time arrived he committed suicide in prison by 
drinking laudanum. This fine estate, of nearly one thousand acres, 
was afterwards purchased by the Harwoods, about 1810 or 1820, and 
is still in the hands of this family. 

SCHOOLS AND ACADEMIES 

The people of King and Queen were among the first 
in the State to give attention to the very important mat- 
ter of the mental culture of their children. 

Thomas Jefferson, after retiring from the office of 
President of the United States, set the pace for our 
people by starting a great university at Charlottesville. 
The Presbyterians had previously founded Washington 
College, now known as Washington and Lee Univer- 
sity. In 1834 Richmond College was inaugurated by 
the Baptists. Up to that time the schools of King and 
Queen were few and, in the main, of low grade. But 
the people of the county in general (some exceptions, of 
course) have always shown great interest in the literary 
training of their children. Many of the youths of both 
sexes have had collegiate education, some of the boys 
going to William and Mary, some to Columbian Uni- 
versity at Washington, to Randolph-Macon, and to 
Richmond College; and the girls to Hollins, Staunton, 
Charlottesville, etc. These and other high-grade 
schools, as the University of Virginia, Johns Hopkins, 
etc., have rendered us good service. We know of one 
resident of the county — we use the incident simply as an 



86 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

illustration — who, having five sons and eight daughters, 
educated all his boys at Columbian University, and the 
girls at schools of corresponding grade. We do not 
mention the name — modesty forbids — but it must be 
recorded to his everlasting honor. 

A number of private schools were kept in different 
sections of the county, whose teachers in several cases 
made high reputations. 

In the year 1753, Donald Robertson, a Scotchman 
quite thoroughly equipped, came over and began to 
teach, first as a private tutor. By and by, having bought 
land on the Mattapony River ten miles above Dun- 
kirk, he there opened an academy for young men, and 
soon secured a patronage honorable to himself, drawing 
students from all quarters. He taught literature, math- 
ematics, rhetoric, Latin, and perhaps Greek. It is likely 
that no teacher of his day deserved better of Virginians 
than did Donald Robertson. He taught the youth, 
James Madison, who said, after a distinguished and 
beneficent career, " All that I have been in life I owe 
largely to that man." It seems probable, also, that he 
taught General George Rogers Clark, whose aunt he 
married; as also other noted men. 

About the year 1839, a Scotchman of culture and 
wise forecast, Mr. Oliver White, came to us and estab- 
lished an academy at Fleetwood, some six miles above 
Bruington Church. Mr. White deserves the everlast- 
ing gratitude of our people, within and beyond the bor- 
ders of the county. He erected a standard which is 
telling to-day upon a number of pupils who do him 
honor, while he sleeps in his quiet grave, some four miles 
from Bruington and the same distance from Fleetwood. 

About the same year (1839), Mr. John Bagby and 
Colonel John Pollard started an academy at Stevens- 
ville, near the center of the county, for the teaching of 
English and the classics and mathematics, and Major 
James G. White was employed as headmaster, followed 
by Rev. R. H. Bagby, D. D., W. J. Berryman, and 
others. These schools were largely efficacious in the 
preparation of the youth of the county for college train- 
ing and business life. 





COI.. J. C. COUNCII^I. 
Twenty-sixth Virginia Regiment, Army Northern Virginia. 



FACING 86 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 87 

At Bruington, Captain Thomas Haynes opened an_ 
acMemy, of which Judge J. H. C. Jones was principaL 
Mr. Jones was a Marylander by birth, and came to us 
first from Columbian College. He did a good work in 
the schoolroom, afterwards studying law under James 
Smith, Esq., and by and by coming to be one of our 
most valuable and noted citizens. His invaluable wife 
— a daughter of Mr. James Smith — survives him, being 
now (1904) venerable in age and in honors. Judge 
Jones will long live in the memory of his pupils and his 
fellow-citizens, whose courts he presided over with so 
much of grace and skill, holding the scales of justice 
always evenly balanced. 

About 1850 a very successful school was conducted 
at Newtown by Mr. Lewis Kidd, and in 1857 by Spen- 
cer Coleman. It was closed at the breaking out of the 
Civil War. 

About 1856, an academy was established at Centre- 
ville, conducted by Prof. Gogerty, who was afterwards 
slain by a brother of a pupil he had disciplined in the 
school. Rev. A. F. Scott succeeded him in years after 
the war, and rendered a service highly efficient. 

The training of our girls, also, was not forgotten. 
Miss Fannie Hughes, who taught a school in Glouces- 
ter, was largely patronized by our citizens. About the 
year 1837, Miss Myra A. Muse taught a school at 
Plainview, near the Dragon, for the Gaines family. 
She afterwards married Mr. James Southgate, and re- 
sided at Locust Cottage near Stevensville. Here she 
opened a school, which secured a large patronage and 
was highly approved. Rev. Robert Stubbs taught a 
school for girls some twelve miles below the Court- 
house. A female school was kept at Newtown by E. 
Payson Walton, Also a private school, one of " Old 
Field " type. There was also a school for girls at 
Buena Vista, some miles below Centreville. 

LOCUST COTTAGE 

A female seminary was established at this place, situ- 
ated about one mile east of Stevensville, in the late thir- 



88 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

ties, say 1836 or 1837, by Mrs. Mira Ann Southgate, 
wife of James S. Southgate, who moved her school from 
Little Plymouth. They were married in Gloucester 
County in December, 1828, and when they came to 
Locust Cottage had three children, Mary Anna, James, 
and Llewellyn, the two former having been born at 
Edge Hill, near Upton, now called New Upton, in 
Gloucester County, about ten miles north of the Court- 
house, and the latter at Little Plymouth, in King and 
Queen. After locating at Locust Cottage, Thomas 
Muse and Cordelia Hunter were born, making in all five 
children. Mrs. Southgate was educated at a high school 
for young ladies in Richmond, Virginia, where she grad- 
uated with the highest honors. She at once chose teach- 
ing for a support, and in this way aided in the education 
of her brothers and sisters, who were left in dependent 
circumstances by their father, Colonel Thomas Muse, 
who for many years was clerk of the court in the county 
of Middlesex. Of her children, two only are now liv- 
ing, viz. James and Thomas Muse. Mary Anna mar- 
ried Richard Inge Wynne of North Carolina in 1861, 
and died in the town of Louisburg, N. C, April 27th, 
1867, leaving one daughter, who grew to womanhood, 
married, removed to 1 exas, and died. Her four chil- 
dren soon followed. 

James Southgate married Delia Haywood Wynne, 
sister of Richard Inge Wynne of North Carolina, in 
1858, and six children were born of this marriage. 
Two boys died in infancy; one daughter, Annie, died 
in Durham, N. C, aged twenty-five and unmarried. 
James Haywood Southgate, the oldest child, is living 
(1904) in Durham, N. C. He married Kate, daughter 
of Bartholomew Fuller of Fayetteville, N. C, and four 
children were born to them, two dying in infancy and 
a daughter at the age of thirteen of appendicitis; the 
one left being a son, Thomas Fuller, aged eleven years. 
Lessie, the third child of James and Delia, married 
Prof. Simmons of North Carolina, and with her hus- 
band, the president, is teaching at Shorter College in 
Rome, Georgia. There are no children by this mar- 
riage. Mattie, the youngest daughter, married Thomas 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 89 

D. Jones, a native of Virginia, though he was a citizen 
of North Carolina when he married; he Hved In Dur- 
ham and died there in 1889. There were three boys by 
this marriage, viz. Decatur, Southgate, and Llle. The 
first died suddenly at the age of six years; the others are 
living, their ages In 1904 being eleven and thirteen 
years. 

Llewellyn Southgate married Miss Elvlna Courtney, 
who died of pulmonary consumption shortly after her 
marriage; her husband soon followed her to the grave, 
by consumption of the bowels. He died at Boardly, a 
farm on the Mattapony near Galnesborough, May 23d, 
1 87 1, aged thirty-six years. He was a great sufferer, 
but met death bravely and with hope of a blessed im- 
mortality. There were no children by this marriage. 

Thomas Muse Southgate married Miss Mary Port- 
lock of Norfolk, Virginia, and has lived in that city ever 
since. By this marriage there were born four boys and 
four girls. The oldest two (sons) died In childhood. 
MIra, the oldest daughter. Is married to Hiram H. 
Grandin, and they live on Staten Island, the family con- 
sisting of father, mother, and three children, one son 
(the oldest) and two daughters. A son, Thomas S., 
lives in Norfolk, and is a prosperous merchant. He 
married Miss Nettle Norsworthy, and there have been 
born to them four children, two now (1904) living, a 
daughter and a son, aged five and two years respectively. 
The second daughter married recently Mr. H. H. Brad- 
ley of Stateburg, S. C; they now reside in Savannah, 
Ga. The two younger daughters, Frances Baylor and 
Helen Hunter, are unmarried, while Hugh, the 
youngest child, is a youth of eighteen years, living with 
his parents In Norfolk. 

Cordelia Hunter Southgate, the youngest, who was 
the pet of the household at Locust Cottage, grew to be 
a woman of great worth, was proficient in music, and 
chose that for a support. She never married, but de- 
voted her life to the good of others, and especially to 
work for the church. She died at the home of her 
brother James, in North Carolina, November i8th, 
1894; at her request her remains were taken to Norfolk 



90 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

and laid by the side of her father and mother, to both 
of whom she was devoted, and by whose bedside she 
watched when they died. 

We have been thus explicit in giving a history of this 
estimable family, because they were so well known and 
loved by hundreds of girls who went to this excellent 
school during the years previous to 1852, when they 
removed to Norfolk, Virginia. 

Locust Cottage wielded a powerful influence for good 
in eastern Virginia, and there are scores of families now 
living whose mothers have sat at the feet of Mrs. South- 
gate to learn lessons of wisdom which have served them 
a good purpose in their lives. She was a teacher who 
taught because she loved to teach, and her thorough in- 
struction and firm, though mild, discipline, endeared 
her to her pupils and made a telling influence upon their 
characters and lives. James S. Southgate, or, as he 
was familiarly called by the girls, " Marse Jeems," ex- 
ercised on this great school a moral influence which was 
beautiful and healthful. While his estimable wife 
stored the minds of her pupils with useful knowledge, 
he looked after the commissariat, and his table was 
known far and near as " par excellence " for a boarding 
school. His influence for good was felt in King and 
Queen all the years he lived among this people. His 
walk was that of the true Christian, a " living epistle 
known and read of all men." His great desire was to 
preach the Gospel, but the school took so much of his 
time and attention that he had to be content with the 
license to exhort. He was powerfully gifted in prayer 
and most effective as an exhorter. Old Providence, In 
King and Queen, was the scene of his abundant labors 
in his Master's cause, and doubtless many are now liv- 
ing in that vicinity who can testify to the great work he 
accomplished among that people as superintendent of 
their Sabbath school and general director in all things 
pertaining to their spiritual welfare. 

In 1852 Locust Cottage was sold to John N. Gres- 
ham, who lived there for several years, until fire de- 
stroyed all the original buildings. A small two-story 
cottage is all that now stands by the beautiful grove 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 91 

which in the old days sheltered beneath its grateful 
shade so many girls who, in after years, looked back 
with pleasure at the joyous times spent there. Desola- 
tion supreme marks this once lovely seat of learning, 
and naught remains to tell of its former greatness and 
beauty. Time has wrought many changes in this neigh- 
borhood, one of the happiest and most refined in the 
county for the happy years of which we write. After 
removing to Norfolk, Mrs. Southgate's health failed, 
and she ceased to teach. She died peacefully and calmly 
near Norfolk, on August 20th, 1862, and her remains 
now lie buried in Norfolk, by the side of those of James 
S. Southgate; who died, as he had lived, with a heavenly 
smile upon his face, at the home of his son James, in 
Durham, N. C, September 19th, 1877, nearly seventy- 
three years of age. Though dead, these two yet speak 
in the lives of thousands who have come under their 
influence. " Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord 
from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may 
rest from their labours; and their works do follow 
them." 

A seminary for young ladies was conducted by Mrs. 
M. L. Fleet at Green Mount near Dunkirk. It was 
well patronized and did excellent work. She was largely 
aided by her accomplished daughters. Misses Lou, Flor- 
ence, and Bessie. Mrs. Fleet is lovingly remembered by 
her numerous pupils. 

HIGH SCHOOL AT STEVENSVILLE 

In October, 1907, a high school for higher students 
was opened at Stevensville. This was done largely by 
the enterprise and earnest interest of Robt. N. Pollard 
and A. C. Eubank, trustees, and a band of earnest 
women cooperating with them. It is considered to be a 
very great success. 



CHAPTER VII 

RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS 

There are two native qualities which have charac- 
terized our people perhaps more than any others; one 
the conservative spirit, the other the religious. The 
established church of the mother country had the right 
of way here as elsewhere; but already before the Revo- 
lution Methodists and Baptists began to appear, and in 
some cases were fined and imprisoned, or bonded. In 
order to have a fair and authentic representation, 1 
have engaged one gentleman from each of the denomi- 
nations to represent his own people in the county. Dr. 
B. H. Walker writes for the Disciples of Christ, Rev. 
J. W. Shackford for the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
and Rev. G, W. Beale, D. D., for the Baptist. Presby- 
terians have been represented here only by a few scat- 
tered members; Congregationalism and Lutheranism 
never had a footing in the county. A small number of 
persons near Little Plymouth identify themselves as 
" Christadelphians," under their leader. Dr. John 
Thomas. 

The influence of certain ministers of the Gospel has 
been and is pronounced in the lives of the people. We 
name a few of these, but they are not exceptional cases. 
Revs. Shackelford, " Parson Mitchel " Shackford, R. 
Y. Henley, R. B. Semple, Andrew Broaddus, Sr. and Jr., 
R. H. Bagby, Thomas B. Evans, William and William 
B. Todd. These men have left a profound impres- 
sion upon their respective communities — indeed their 
influence for good is still recognized, both within the 
limits of the county and beyond its borders. Eternity 
alone will disclose the splendid work which these men 
of God have accomplished. They are not dead, but 
only sleep, " and their works do follow them." 

92 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 93 

THE BAPTISTS 

By Rev. G. W. Beale, D. D. 

The frail barks which were wont to bear over the 
ocean our forefathers to these Western shores were 
wafted by winds of which it might be said none knew 
whence they came or whither they went. Often, per- 
haps, currents of air having separate and remote origins, 
and moving for long distances along different lines, 
united, and filling the sails of the adventurous craft, irn- 
pelled them the more swiftly and surely to their desti- 
nation. In like manner the agencies which brought at 
first the faith as held by the Baptists into King and 
Queen County, may not in every case be distinctly trace- 
able. Different instrumentalities, starting in separate 
and remote quarters and entering the county from dif- 
ferent directions, combined, it is believed, in sowing here 
the seeds of this faith and reaping fruits of its first 
harvest. 

William Mullen, a native of Middlesex, who had 
made a temporary home in that part of Amelia that is 
now Nottoway County, — where, under the preaching of 
" Father " Samuel Harress and Jeremiah Walker, he 
had become a convert to their beliefs and a preacher of 
the same, — on a visit in 1769 to his kindred on the 
lower Rappahannock, passed through King and Queen, 
where he tarried for some days with his relatives. Here, 
in conversation with his brother, John Mullen, and 
James Greenwood, his brother-in-law, he satisfied them 
of the Scriptural warrant for his belief in regeneration. 
They soon afterwards professed their faith in Christ, 
and were immersed in witness that thev had died to sin 
and risen to newness of life in Him. Both of them be- 
came Baptist ministers, and began to hold meetings, 
warmly exhorting their hearers to repent, believe, and 
be baptized. 

In 1 77 1, John Waller of Spottsylvania, accompanied 
by John Burrus, visited the county and preached the doc- 
trine of the " New Lights," as the Baptist ministers 
were then derisively called. Under a sermon on the 
*' New Birth," Ivison Lewis, who soon afterwards also 



94 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

became a preacher, was converted, with numerous others. 
Waller's preaching was powerful in demonstration of 
the Spirit, and many flocked to hear him. On February 
II, 1773, a church was constituted, containing seven- 
teen members, and called Lower King and Queen 
Church. This was the earliest Baptist church formed 
In the county. 

The coming of Waller and the success of his preach- 
ing, particularly in the adjoining county of Middlesex, 
became the signal for a violent outbreak of persecution, 
which led, during the years 1771, '72, and '73, to the 
imprisonment In jail of a number of ministers for pro- 
claiming the Gospel without having a license from the 
General Court. These severities were practiced more 
in several contiguous counties than In King and Queen; 
but here, in August, 1772, James Greenwood and John 
Lovall, while conducting a meeting (under a tree, prob- 
ably) near where Brulngton meetinghouse now stands, 
were arrested and confined within prison bounds for 
sixteen days. These indignities and hardships endured 
by the early preachers intensified their zeal, drew to 
them much popular sympathy, and greatly Increased the 
effectiveness of their ministry. 

An active colaborer with John Waller in these days 
of persecution was Lewis Craig, also of Spottsylvania. 
His itinerant labors were greatly blessed In that part of 
this county which lies nearest to Caroline, and there, in 
1774, Upper King and Queen Church was organized 
with twenty-five members. The year following, at a 
place popularly known as " The Axle," a church called 
by that name was constituted with thirty members. This 
body has since been styled Exol. 

These three churches — Lower King and Queen, 
Upper King and Queen, and Exol — had respectively as 
their first pastors, Robert Ware, Younger Pitts, and 
Ivlson Lewis. Elder Pitts was. In 1780, succeeded in 
Upper King and Queen Church by Theodrick Noel, 
who served it as pastor for forty years, or until death 
released him from his charge. Ware and Lewis also 
retained their charges until dismissed by death, both of 
them having served for full thirty years. 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 95 

Two of these persevering and faithful pastors lived 
to see two other Baptist churches organized in the 
county, Bruington in 1790, and Poroporone in 1807, 
the former with one hundred and fifty members and the 
latter with one hundred. Robert B. Semple began his 
useful and distinguished ministerial career by becoming 
the first pastor of Bruington at the time of its constitu- 
tion, and he served in this capacity for forty-one years. 

Elder James Healy was chosen an under-shepherd 
to the Poroporone flock, and continued as such until his 
decease in 1820. The Lower King and Queen Church, 
having been called to mourn the departure of their first 
pastor, Robert Ware, chose Elder William Todd as his 
successor in 1804 or 1805. His pastoral care of this 
body — the longest in the annals of King and Queen — 
covered a period of over forty-five years, continuing 
until interrupted by the infirmities of age which fore- 
shadowed his death, bringing it to pass in 1855. The 
popular and eloquent ministry of the Elder Andrew 
Broaddus began in this county in 1827, when he suc- 
ceeded Dr. Semple in the care of Upper King and Queen 
Church, and here his labors were enjoyed for full twenty 
years, or until his death in 1848. 

The long terms of pastoral service which have been 
thus particularly mentioned, betokening as they do the 
harmonious and loving relations that subsisted between 
the churches and their pastors, exerted a powerful in- 
fluence in inculcating Baptist beliefs and practices in the 
minds and hearts of at least two generations in this 
county. Beginning in 1772 with seventeen members, in 
less than sixty years, or at the time of Semple's death 
in 1 83 1, they had increased to 1,314. 

The fifth church among the Baptists formed in King 
and Queen was named from the river which flows near 
to it — Mattapony. It was gathered through the labors 
of Elder William Todd, who at its constitution in 1828 
became its pastor, and so continued for twenty-seven 
years. The church soon after its constitution repaired 
and remodeled the " Old Brick Church," a substantial 
colonial edifice of St. Stevens parish, built and used 
under the Establishment. This structure, it has been 



96 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

said, was probably at the date of its erection " the largest 
and best-built church in Virginia." Reared by Henry 
Gaines, the architect, at the contract cost of £1300, its 
dimensions were thirty by eighty feet, the walls being 
twenty-seven feet high and of " the thickness of five 
bricks at the foundation and four at the top." The 
building remains a commodious and comfortable house 
of worship. 

St. Stephen's and Olivet, both constituted in 1842, 
organized the same year, complete the list of Baptist 
churches in King and Queen. 

The year which witnessed the formation of these two 
churches was that also in which Richard Hugh Bagby, 
who had been ordained at the call of Mattapony, en- 
tered upon his labors as the successor of Elder Richard 
Claybrook in the pastoral care of Bruington. Early in 
his ministry the substantial brick meetinghouse of this 
church was erected, and here, under his consecrated 
and earnest labors, remarkable no less for his power to 
win souls to Christ than for his skill to train them for 
service after they were won, the church attained a de- 
gree of efficiency, influence, and prominence second to 
none other in the rural parts of Virginia. 

Elder Bagby's labors on this field extended through 
twenty-eight years, and terminated only a few months 
before his death, which occurred October 29, 1870. 
His life, which had been eminently marked by holy zeal 
and consecration, rendered his dying hour almost 
seraphic. Among his last thoughts he reverted to the 
scene of his long labors, and said: " I would like to be 
buried at Bruington." Again he said: "Oh, in a few 
hours what indescribable brightness and glory shall I 
behold — never, never to leave it any more." A little 
later he exclaimed: "Give me one more draught of 
that cool water before I begin to taste the cool and 
pearly water of life, proceeding out of the throne of 
God and of the Lamb in the New Jerusalem. . . . 
Tell the brethren that I never realized as I do now the 
glories of the heavenly world. ... I am happier, 
ten thousand times happier, than I ever was before in 
my life. My trust is in God." Summoning his fast- 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 97 

failing strength, he said to his dear companion, " Kiss 
me, my wife, kiss me"; and then his spirit gently de- 
parted to be with Christ and to behold the pearly foun- 
tain which he had already seen in beatific vision. 

His dying wish as to the place of his burial met with 
loving and reverent compliance; his remains rest in the 
Bruington cemetery, not far from those of the sainted 
Semple, and, like Semple's, are fittingly commemorated 
with a marble gravestone. 

In the lower part of the county, Elder John Spencer, 
who had the pastoral care of Poroporone Church, ended 
his career about the time that Richard Hugh Bagby's 
began. His labors in that field left an abiding impres- 
sion for good. Elder Thomas B. Evans, at one time 
pastor of Exol Church, and for thirty-three years in a 
like relation to Olivet, rendered faithful and efficient 
service, of inestimable value, in lower King and Queen. 
Elder Alfred Bagby, for nearly thirty-five years the 
prudent and efficient pastor of Mattapony Church, was 
a recognized and potent factor in the support and prog- 
ress of Baptist interests in this county. 

If space allowed, it would adorn the annals of King 
and Queen to recount here the labors of the men who 
have in later years occupied in the ministry the fields 
where those earlier pastors, the pioneers, toiled so long, 
so patiently, and so successfully. Their record would 
embrace such names as W. B. Todd, Isaac Diggs, An- 
drew Broaddus, Jr., Southwood, Garlick, Land, S. C. 
Boston, J. W. Ryland, Moncure, Henning, W. A. 
Street, Fleet, Long, O. D. Loving, Crews, and F. B. 
Beale — all redolent of pious devotion and godly and 
useful service. The ministry of Andrew Broaddus, Jr., 
in connection with Upper King and Queen Church, 
where he labored for over forty years, was — when 
viewed in all its important aspects — one of the most 
successful and useful ever rendered by a pastor in Vir- 
ginia. The large and well-constructed brick meeting- 
house of this church was reared in i860, under Elder 
Broaddus' ministry, and it has sheltered as large, effi- 
cient, and cultivated a spiritual body as can probably be 
found in any hamlet in the State. 



98 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

Any sketch of the Baptists of King and Queen would 
be too imperfect and inadequate that failed to notice 
the godly men and devout women among the private 
members of its churches, who have in their lives illus- 
trated the doctrine of godliness and proved themselves 
influential in promoting the cause of truth and right- 
eousness. Of such useful and honored members every 
church has had its quota. Benjamin Faulkner, Thomas 
Spencer, Robert Garrett, Thomas Jeffries have been 
among the names loved and cherished in Exol. The 
Eubanks, Webbs, Courtneys, Rylands, Bagbys, Fleets, 
Latanes, Joneses, Hayneses, and others have, by their 
zeal and piety, spread the name of Bruington afar. 
The Boulwares, Gametts, Dews, Broadduses, and 
others, have borne the burdens and ennobled the annals 
of Upper King and Queen, Alexander Fleet, J. C. Coun- 
cil, and other colaborers have been pillars of moral and 
religious strength in St. Stephen's. The Pollards, 
Walkers, Greshams, Hundleys, and a list besides too 
long to enumerate here, have been prominent among the 
religious forces of this county at large in the Baptist 
ranks. 

The list of men added to the Baptist ministry of this 
and other States from King and Queen has been both 
large and weighty. It includes, amongst those born and 
reared in the county, or else ordained at the call of one 
of its churches, such names as these: James Green- 
wood, Ivison Lewis, Henry Toler, John Courtney, Wil- 
liam Hickman, William Todd, Robert B. Semple, An- 
drew Broaddus, John W. Hillyard, Robert Ryland, 
I. Lewis, John Bird, John Spencer, Edward S. 
Amory, William B. Todd, William Pollard, Thomas 
W. Sydnor, R. H. Bagby, Alfred Bagby, George 
F. Bagby, T. B. Evans, John Clark, George 
Schools, E. P. Walton, William Hill, R. F. 
Stubbs, Richard H. Griffith, Edward Gresham, 
James A. Haynes, John W. Hundley, Charles H. 
Ryland, William S. Ryland, John W. Ryland, Rob- 
ert S. Jones, H. H. Jones, John Pollard, T. R. Boston, 
W. T. Hundley, George T. Gresham, R. R. Acree, 
Alexander Fleet, John R. Powers, and J. R. Murdock. 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 99 

If regard be had to the long list here named and the 
high positions many of them have attained in de- 
nominational councils and service, it may well be ques- 
tioned if any county in Virginia has made a larger or 
more influential contribution to our Baptist ministry. 

The Baptists of King and Queen were among the 
foremost in the State in availing themselves of the ad- 
vantages of organized efforts in the churches in behalf 
of reformatory, educational, and missionary aims. 
Temperance, tract, and missionary societies were early 
in existence. Female missionary societies were started 
as early as 1843, perhaps earlier, and are in active 
operation in all the churches to this day; their 
annual missionary days, observed with appropriate 
services and Instructive and Inspiring addresses, have 
enlisted a great degree of public Interest, and accom- 
plished an untold amount of good. These vigorous 
and aggressive factors of church life have not only fos- 
tered missionary and benevolent zeal, but also contrib- 
uted largely to the excellent assoclational reports which 
have so long and so signally characterized the churches 
of this county. 

A commendable zeal in the matter of education has 
all along been shown by the Baptists of King and Queen. 
Dr. Semple conducted an academy In early manhood, 
and later, in his relations to Columbian College, proved 
himself one of the truest and staunchest friends to col- 
legiate training Virginia has ever had. Robert Ryland, 
as president of the Virginia Baptist Seminary, and later 
— for thirty-two years — of Richmond College, rendered 
inestimable service to the cause of sound learning. Al- 
fred Bagby, as principal for three years of Stevensvllle 
Academy; James A. Haynes, as twice principal of Fe- 
male Seminaries; Col. J. C. CouncIU, In his lifelong 
work at Fleetwood and Aberdeen Academies; Dr. John 
Pollard, as professor of English in Richmond College; 
Dr. Charles H. Ryland, as financial secretary of the 
same institution; Dr. Joseph R. Garlick, as principal of 
Bruington Seminary; Col. A. F. Fleet, as superintend- 
ent of large military institutes in both Missouri and 
Indiana; Garnett Ryland, as professor of Greek In 



100 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

Georgetown College, Kentucky; Alexander Fleet, whose 
entire manhood, so far, has been devoted to the care of 
schools, while also laboring efficiently in the ministry; — 
these all have exerted a salutary and helpful influence 
on the Baptist households of King and Queen in behalf 
of the liberal training of their sons and daughters; and 
that for more than three-quarters of a century. 

As a result of their influence, along with cooperating 
causes, the families of the county have, to an extent quite 
unusual, long exhibited a singularly beautiful refinement 
of manners, elevation of thought, progressiveness of 
spirit, and charm of mental and moral culture. Civic 
virtue and private worth have seldom, if ever, found 
truer exemplifications than in the men of this county; 
and its daughters, whether viewed as adorning their 
stations with their accomplishments and graces in the 
domestic, the social, or the religious fabric, well fulfill 
the poetic, but none the less practical, ideal of the Psalm- 
ist, " As corner stones polished after the similitude of a 
palace." 

A few scattered incidents which may be mentioned 
strongly attest the high character and influence of the 
Baptist denomination In King and Queen. In Cath- 
cart's Baptist Encyclopaedia sketches are given of twelve 
or more of her sons, — more than find admission from 
any other Virginia county. During the eighty-one 
years the General Association has been In existence, 
eight of the sons of this county have been chosen to fill 
the president's chair In this body, and have done so for 
eleven years. The annual sermon before this distin- 
guished assemblage has also been preached ten times 
by resident ministers or sons of this county. The Rap- 
pahannock Association In their annual meetings have 
been entertained sixteen times In King and Queen, of- 
tener by four times than In any other county within their 
bounds; and during the sixty-one years of the associa- 
tion's existence (down to 1903) there has never been 
a year in which some worthy and efficient brother of 
King and Queen has not been chosen to fill one or more 
of their three offices. 

The tide of prosperity has not flowed evenly for the 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 101 

Baptist churches in this county during the past half-cen- 
tury. St. Stephen's has, during this time, increased 
fivefold; Exol has doubled its membership; Upper King 
and Queen has become one-third more numerous than 
it was, and Lower King and Queen has made consider- 
able gains in numerical strength. Bruington has re- 
mained nearly stationary as regards numbers, whilst 
Mattapony, Olivet, and Poroporone have each fallen 
off in their membership. 

The losses and want of growth thus indicated, how- 
ever, are in no small measure due to the annual removal 
of members to the cities and other fields of service. 
The impoverishment of these churches has been the en- 
richment of others in Brooklyn, New York, Baltimore, 
Washington, Norfolk, Petersburg, Richmond, Dan- 
ville, Lynchburg, Buchanan, Pine Bluff (Ark.), At- 
lanta (Ga.), and other places, to which the sons and 
daughters of this county have carried a rich inheritance 
of moral virtue and high attainments in religious train- 
ing, and where, like hardy plants planted in new soil, 
they have taken root and flourished. These unforced 
exiles from the communities hallowed by the memories 
of Semple, Todd, Broaddus, Bagby, and other revered 
names, look back from their distant homes to the hearth- 
stones and altars of this county with emotions as fond 
and loyal as ever the devout Moslem knew as he turned 
his face towards " The White Mountain " at Mecca, 
and with a pride and joy as humble and pure as ever 
the captive of Israel felt when in Babylon he opened 
his window towards the temple of his fathers and sang: 

" If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning; 
If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my 
mouth: if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy." 

THE DISCIPLES, OR CHRISTIANS 

By B. H. Walker. 

It is natural and right that anyone commencing to 
read the history of any people or county or religious 
body should wish to know what brought them into ex- 



102 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

istence, and the reasons for their existence, and what 
claims they have to the notice of the reading public. 
Appreciating the reasonableness of such inquiry, I pro- 
ceed to give the causes which brought the people known 
as Disciples of Christ, or Christians, into existence. 

Some time between the years 1825 and 1828 The 
Christian Baptist, published by A. Campbell, by some 
means found its way to eastern Virginia, and some per- 
sons, who had been dissatisfied with certain prevalent 
doctrines of the churches, — such as special election, final 
perseverance of the saints, and special operation of the 
spirit of conversion independent of the Word of God, — 
were attracted by the sentiments expressed in that paper, 
began to talk and canvass them, and soon to question 
the scripturality of such doctrines, thus starting a warm 
discussion. Dr. John Duval became an ardent advo- 
cate of the views which Mr. Campbell insisted on; on 
one occasion he preached a sermon in Bruington Baptist 
Church, proving from the Scriptures that the Holy 
Spirit operates only through the Word of God, and 
was promised as an indweller and comforter only to 
those who believed and obeyed the Gospel. When he 
concluded his discourse, he asked Mr. Josiah Ryland, 
Sr., to offer prayer, and the latter prayed that the 
Church might be delivered from the false doctrine 
which had been preached them on that occasion. Soon 
some of the members insisted that there was no scrip- 
tural authority for the so-called Christian experience 
which those offering to come into the Church were re- 
quired to tell, nor for the practice of members sitting 
in judgment on the spiritual condition of the candidate, 
and whether or not they were ready to be received into 
the Church. Another principle they insisted on was 
that only obedient believers could claim the promise of 
the forgiveness of sins, or, in other words, only those 
who, professing faith in Jesus, had repented of their 
sins and turned from them and been baptized, had 
the answer of a good conscience, the assurance of the 
pardon of their sins. They also insisted that such 
churches only were scripturally organized as had a plu- 
rality of elders and deacons and celebrated the Lord's 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 103 

Supper every Lord's day. Many of these positions, 
being new to the Baptists, were very strongly opposed 
and denounced, and because we as a sect denied that the 
Holy Spirit operated independently and apart from the 
Word of God, the charge was made (and with some is 
still insisted on) that we deny the influence of the Holy 
Spirit in conversion. 

The discussion on these questions, especially the last, 
grew very warm. By a decree of the Dover Associa- 
tion in 1 83 1 the new views were unscriptural and de- 
moralizing, and the persons who advocated them were 
promoters of damnable errors; and the decree recom- 
mended the churches to withdraw from every one who 
still insisted upon these sentiments, which were con- 
trary to the then prevailing doctrines held by the Bap- 
tists. Along with other Baptist churches, Bruington 
acted upon the advice of the Association, and withdrew 
from thirty-two members; who then, being without a 
place to meet in for religious worship, organized as a 
church, with R. B. Pendleton and Temple Walker as 
elders and John Draper and J. W. Watkins and others 
as deacons. As they had no house in which to worship, 
they erected a stage, as it was then called, across the 
road from Henry C. Nunn's residence, now owned by 
Mr. G. Tuck. There were only rude seats for the ac- 
commodation of the people. There were some splen- 
did old oaks and hickories which gave abundant shade, 
and there the members and others met every Lord's day 
to sing and pray and to remember their Lord and Savior 
in the Supper. When the chilly days in the fall came 
on, they repaired to a vacant house, called the Cottage, 
on the land of P. B. Pendleton, now owned by Dr. 
Thomas Latane. 

Next year, 1832, a church building was erected and 
dedicated. Soon Thomas M. Henley moved to the 
county, and he became the pastor and an elder, along 
with those first chosen; then James C. Roy, who had 
been a deacon, was chosen an elder after the death 
of P. B. Pendleton. Dr. John Duval preached for a 
long time for the Smyrna church, and also for the one 
at Rappahannock, but held his membership at Jerusa- 



104 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

lem in King William, where he also preached and acted 
as elder. Smyrna church, like all religious bodies, has 
had its days of prosperity and adversity, its days of joy 
and sorrow, but has steadily pursued its course, meeting 
regularly every Lord's day, keeping the ordinances as 
they were ordained by the Apostles, and standing for 
the truth, both in precept and example, as they under- 
stood it, and as they verily believe it taught in the Holy 
Scriptures. 

Smyrna church, however, has not been as aggressive 
as the demands of the cause have required; has been too 
well satisfied to proclaim the Gospel and keep the ordi- 
nances as required by the divine standard, and has not 
reached out as it should to the regions beyond; still, the 
membership has been large for a country church, reach- 
ing as high as two hundred and fifty, and larger than 
any other church in the county. 

Some time between 1845 ^^^ 1850 a church claim- 
ing to hold the truth as given by the Apostles was or- 
ganized in the upper portion of the county, and called 
Horeb ; sustained by Dr. William Dew, John Lumpkin, 
Roy Boulware, Richard Pollard, and others, it held 
regular meetings until during the war, when the Yan- 
kees destroyed it, and all the leading members dying or 
moving away, the organization was broken up and has 
never been revived. 

METHODISM IN KING AND QUEEN 

By Reverend Joseph W. Shackford. * 

(Much of the information contained in this paper was gleaned from 
the diary of Mr. John Walker of Chatham Hill.) 

The Methodist Episcopal Church was organized at 
the " Christmas Conference " held in the city of Balti- 
more, Md., in 1784; and Francis Asbury was chosen by 

Bedford City, Va., June 9, 1902. 
*Rev. Alfred Bagby, 

Richmond, Va. 
My dear Brother: 

Enclosed I send you the paper on " Methodism in King and Queen." 
Owing to lack of data for the lower part of the County, my account 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 105 

that body as the " Itinerant General Superintendent," 
or Bishop. For about twenty years prior to that time, 
itinerant Methodist preachers had been at work along 
the Atlantic slope from New England to the Carolinas. 
At first these men were few in number, irregularly dis- 
tributed, and greatly handicapped by their distance 
from Mr, John Wesley in England, by whose authority 
they were generally directed. Now, however, with a 
regular organization of their own, and with a resident 
Bishop of fervent piety and indomitable energy, they 
" greatly multiplied." 

King and Queen County, like many others, early be- 
came the traveling ground of these Methodist " circuit 
riders." Without houses of worship at first, they 
preached at private residences, under brush arbors, at 
camp meetings, or in any place where they could get a 
congregation to hear the Word of the Lord. 

The early " circuits " were not defined by any nat- 
ural or political boundary lines; but were composed of 
an irregular number of " appointments," or preaching 
places, including often the whole, or large portions, of 
several counties. In this way King and Queen, for some 
time prior to 1829, was in the "Gloucester circuit"; 
from that time to 1 834 it was in the " Caroline circuit " ; 
it was then put in the " Essex circuit " ; and, a few years 
later, was called by its own name, the " King and Queen 
circuit." Under these fluctuating conditions it is diffi- 
cult to trace the growth of Methodism here separately 

in that direction had to be brief and only of a general character. It 
may seem that undue prominence is given to Mr. John Walker and my 
father. It is true I had more material at hand respecting them than 
respecting others, but I think the facts will support the position given 
them. 

I have not signed my name to the paper, because I do not know your 
wish as to that. You can do as you wish about that. Of course there 
are many other features, such as the relations of Methodism to other 
denominations in the County, etc., which are not to be mentioned in so 
brief a sketch. I trust the paper may be serviceable to your work; and 
wishing you much success therein, I remain, 

Yours fraternally, 

Jos. W. Shackford. 



106 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

and apart from the contiguous regions with which it has 
been so intimately associated. 

About 1790 Stephen Roswell preached in King and 
Queen. The first Methodist preaching in the upper 
part of the county was at the home of Mr. William 
Shepherd, Sr., the great-grandfather of Mr. Melville 
Walker of Walkerton. Among the first Methodist 
members in that neighborhood was old Mrs. Clayton. 
The first Methodist church there was originally built 
about three miles east of Clarkston Postofiice by Mr. 
William Shepherd, Jr., in 1800, for a schoolhouse. In 
1802 this was turned into a Methodist "meeting- 
house " and called " Shepherd's," after the name of its 
builder. This small wooden structure was replaced by 
a brick building (33x39 feet), completed on the 23d 
of October, 1838, and dedicated by Rev. Harry B. 
Cowles on the 25th of the following December. 

It cost $468.36, the most of which was paid by Mr. 
John Walker of " Chatham Hill," son-in-law to Mr. 
William Shepherd, Jr. This house, it seems, was badly 
constructed, and in 1859 it was pulled down and the 
present large brick edifice was built just across the road, 
opposite the old site; the new house was dedicated to 
the worship of Almighty God May 27th, i860, by Rev. 
Henry B. Cowles. 

About 1835 "Providence" meetinghouse was built, 
a plain wooden structure, which was succeeded in 1890 
by a large brick church. " Paces " was a preaching 
place very early in the nineteenth century, and the brick 
church now standing was built about 1836. 

Still lower in the county the " Old Church," " New 
Hope," "St. Andrew's," and "Shackelford's" very 
early became rallying points of Methodism. In 1885 
a Methodist church, called " Mizpah," was built in the 
village of Walkerton and added to the King and Queen 
circuit. Many other places from time to time have 
been used by the Methodists for assembling the people 
to hear the Gospel; but the above churches, or meeting- 
houses, as they were originally called, mark the princi- 
pal spots in the county where they have established 
strongholds for the Kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ. 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 107 

Among the active ministers of the first half-century 
of Methodism in this field were the following: Stephen 
Roswell, Samuel Gerrard, Lewis Skidmore, Hezekiah 
McLelland, John Hersey, Rufus Ledbetter, Samuel T. 
Moorman, William H. Starr, Thomas S. Campbell, 
Moses Brock, George W. Nolley, Edward Cannon, 
Richard Corbin, David Fisher, Thomas Crowder, Rich- 
ard Bennett, Richard Mitchell, Thomas Durham, Wil- 
liam Davis, John W. White, John P. Gregory, James 
McDonald, James W. Lewis, Henry B. Cowles, Robert 
Michaels, William E. Grant, Richard Hope, Isaac M. 
Arnold, James E. Joyner, Gervis M. Keesee, and Abram 
Penn, 

Within the last fifty-five years, the following preach- 
ers, in the order given, have labored in that part of the 
county lying above Little Plymouth, and now known as 
King and Queen circuit: 

Joseph H. Davis, Joseph Lear, Stephen W. Jones, 
Thomas H. Briggs, John Bayly, John B. Laurens, B. H. 
Johnson, Charles H. Boggs, Joseph R. Grifl^th, Wil- 
liam H. Starr, Lloyd, Moore, John G. Rowe, Hezekiah 
P. Mitchell, Thomas M. Beckham, George M. Wright, 
Josiah D. Hank, Charles E. Watts, John W. Shack- 
ford, William E. Evans, Benjamin C. Spiller, William 
W. Lear, William A. Crocker, John T. Payne, Joseph 
W. Shackford, Robert E. Barrett, John P. Woodward, 
Robert E. Bentley, and Frederick G. Davis. In addi- 
tion to these, the presiding elders of this period did a 
great deal of effective work in the county; among them 
were William B. Rowzie, E. P. Wilson, Thomas A. 
Ware, Jacob Manning, Leonidas Rosser, James D. 
Coulling, Joseph H. Davis, J. Powell Garland, Fran- 
cis J. Boggs, George H. Ray, William E. Payne, Charles 
E. Watts, and Joseph H. Amiss. Of all these preachers 
named, only two, Hezekiah McLelland and John W. 
Shackford, settled in King and Queen; the others were 
nearly all transient itinerant pastors. 

Mr. McLelland, having served in the Virginia Con- 
ference for many years, located after his marriage with 
Miss Mary Temple, daughter of Mr. Humphrey Tem- 
ple, near Walkerton, where he lived until his death, 



108 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

November 9th, 1832. His funeral eulogy was preached 
November 27th, 1832, by Rev. Lewis Skidmore, from 
the text 11. Corinthians, vii. 2. 

While living in the county he labored earnestly, and 
so long as his strength lasted, for the salvation of souls 
and the cause of Methodism. He was survived by his 
wife, three sons, — Thomas Cole, Benjamin Whatcoat, 
Enoch George, — and two daughters, Susanna Benson 
and Martha Cole. The last named. Miss Martha Cole 
McLelland, on February loth, 1846, was married to 
Rev. John William Shackford, while he was on the King 
William circuit. In 1847 Mr. Shackford traveled the 
Westmoreland circuit, and in November of the same 
year he retired from the Virginia Conference, of which 
he had now been a member for five years, and located 
on his farm near Walkerton, to which he gave the name 
Orange Grove. 

At that time he was only 28 years of age, and was 
ardently devoted to the cause of Methodism. Thence- 
forth for more than thirty-five years he labored " in sea- 
son, out of season," throughout King and Queen, and 
often in King William and Essex Counties, for the 
cause of Christ. He preached often at " Shepherd's," 
" Providence," " Paces," and the " Old Church," and 
many souls were converted under his ministry. He never 
lost his devotion for his itinerant brethren; his house 
was their home, they sought his counsel, loved him cor- 
dially, and he labored with them in their meetings, and 
for their support in all the practical work of the church. 
Acting under the authority of the Quarterly Conference 
in 1873, he raised the money to buy the first parsonage 
for King and Queen circuit. He was class-leader, super- 
intendent of Sunday school, and preacher, all in one. 
He loved God's people of every name; and no minister 
ever labored in King and Queen who did more to estab- 
lish Methodism in the county. For the last fifteen years 
of his life he was too feeble in body to preach much; 
but he did what he could to help on the little church 
which had now been built at Walkerton, and to which 
he gave the name of Mizpah. He died in his eighty- 
first year, on July loth, 1900, and was laid to rest in 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 109 

the family burying ground, lamented by a great number 
of neighbors, relatives, brethren, and friends. Very 
tender and impressive memorial services, at which lov- 
ing tributes were spoken by ministers and laymen of his 
own and other denominations, were held at Mizpah on 
July 2 2d, 1900. 

The total number of Methodists in King and Queen 
probably never exceeded a thousand at any one time. 
They number now (1902) seven hundred and ninety. 
Among this people there have been many, both men and 
women, who were faithful and devoted followers of 
Christ, shining as lights before the world. There may 
be mentioned Mr. William Shepherd, Jr., the founder 
of *' Shepherd's Church," where he was the leading 
member for more than forty years. He died April 5, 
1842. Mr. John DeShazo, a member of the same class 
with Mr. Shepherd for twenty-eight years, died No- 
vember 5, 1834. Mr. John Walker, of "Chatham 
Hill " for nearly fifty years, first joined the Methodist 
Church in 1818 in Nashville, Tenn., where he was then 
engaged in business; but he returned to Virginia and 
united with the " Shepherd's class " at a meeting held 
by Rev. Samuel Gerrard at the house of Mr. William 
Shepherd, Jr., in December, 18 19. From that time 
until his death in February, 1867, he was a faithful and 
devoted Christian. No member of the denomination 
in King and Queen ever exerted a more positive and 
abiding influence for Methodism than did this godly 
layman. Truly he was " diligent in business, fervent 
in spirit, serving the Lord." The Bible was his guide- 
book. He daily held prayers with his family and serv- 
ants, for whose spiritual welfare he showed the deepest 
concern. He was kind to the poor, generous to the 
w^eak and erring; but he had no toleration for duplicity 
or meanness of any sort. Cato the Censor was not more 
strict in his ideas of rectitude; nor was John, the be- 
loved disciple, more affectionate and tender towards his 
Christian brethren. On June 19th, 1826, returning 
from a camp meeting, held at " Old Church," in the 
lower end of the county, he wrote these words : " I feel 
thankful to my Maker I am yet striving for the King- 



110 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

dom of Glory. Lord [grant] that I may hold out till 
death and be crowned with life eternal in Heaven I " 
When the end came, more than forty years afterwards, 
his loved and intimate friend. Rev. John W. Shack- 
ford, inquired of him: "Brother Walker, what are 
your prospects now ? " As his spirit was passing through 
the gates he answered back: " O, Eternal life! Eternal 
life! " So lived and died one of the pillars of early 
Methodism in King and Queen. His wife, Margaret 
W. Walker, a faithful, godly woman, survived him, 
with her two sons, Watson and Melville — she for 
nearly twenty years. Watson died in 1900; Melville 
in 1904. 

There were many others who faithfully served God 
and went to their reward. Space is left to mention only 
a few. At Shepherd's, besides those already given, were 
William Dix, Sr., Dr. Moore Fauntleroy and family, 
William J. Clarkson, Charles R. Evans, Charles Bur- 
gess, Peter Toombs, Philip Hodges, Joseph T. Brown- 
ley, Franklin Simpkins, Mrs. Elizabeth Carlton, Mrs. 
Elizabeth Hundley, with her sons, John and George 
K., Mrs. Mary McLelland, Miss Martha Wilson, Miss 
Mildred Perryman, Miss Susan Crowe, and many others 
who have fallen asleep. In more recent years Watson 
Walker, Melville Walker, Thomas Sterling, William 
Trice, John F. Trice, Lewis P. Fryer, Willie Cook, and 
others, have served the church there officially. Of 
these, Watson and Melville Walker, sons of Mr. John 
Walker named above, deserve special mention. For 
fifteen years after their father's death they were the 
strength and support of Shepherd's. When Mizpah 
was established at Walkerton, they, together with Lewis 
P. Fryer, Mrs. William H. Walker, and the Shackford 
family, transferred their membership to that place, and 
there wrought for Methodism with such faithful co- 
workers as Captain George P. Hudson and wife. Cap- 
tain B. F. Eaton and wife, Mrs. J. W. Caldwell, and 
others. 

Among the laymen at " Providence " in the long-ago 
were: James Southgate, Robert S. Nunn, Henry Nunn, 
Thomas DeShazo, John DeShazo, Low Brown, Quarles 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 111 

Nunn, and Richard Williams; more recently, William 
C. Anderson, Richard B. Nunn, Joseph G. Nunn, 
Thomas J. Crouch, William Brown, Samuel P. Latane, 
John C. DeShazo, and Charles W. Porter. Some of 
these are still living, but most of them have fallen asleep. 
Of the last two named it ought to be said that for more 
than thirty years they have toiled with unceasing fidelity 
for their church. Mr. DeShazo, merchant and farmer, 
and Mr. Porter, treasurer of King and Queen County 
for the last thirty-four years consecutively, are truly 
such material as men are made of, reflecting credit not 
only on themselves but on the church they have served 
so well, earning thereby the confidence and love of the 
whole community. 

But the time would fail me to speak of many more 
" whose names are in the book of life." 

At Paces there were William Watts, Lambeth Hund- 
ley, Thomas W. Garrett, Dr. James B. Garrett, Jimmie 
Gibson, Alfred Carlton, Isaac Carlton, and others. 

At Old Church and Shackelford's many of the large 
family of Blands, — including Colonel Robert Bland, 
Dr. William Bland, Dr. James Bland, Major Bland, — 
Mr. Beverly Anderson and his son. Dr. Garrett Ander- 
son, with a large number of Roanes, Shackelfords, and 
others, followed the Methodist faith. 

The increase in membership has usually come through 
special revival meetings in the churches, or through 
camp meetings, so frequent in the earlier days. At a 
camp meeting in 1827 in Gloucester there were more 
than a hundred conversions; June 20-24, 1834, at Shep- 
herd's there were about thirty conversions; August 23, 
1838, under preaching of Rev. Robert Michaels, there 
were ninety-four conversions at Providence; July 20- 
28, 1850, there were sixty conversions at Shepherd's, 
and likewise at other places multitudes of souls were 
turned unto the Lord. Thus it will appear without the 
least disparagement of other Christian denominations 
that Methodism has contributed liberally to the number 
of godly men and women in the good old county of 
King and Queen, the noble lives and conduct of whose 
people prompted the public statement made by Bishop 



112 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

James A. Latane at Antioch in 1880: "I have trav- 
eled," said he, "in many parts of the country; but I 
have never been in any other place where the people 
have so much of the fear of God as they have in this 
community." 

BRUINGTON CHURCH 

We give here some extracts from an interesting sketch 
of Bruington Church, written by Judge J. H. C, Jones; 
Bruington being one of the oldest of the churches in 
our county: 

" The earliest account we have of Baptist preaching 
in the neighborhood of Bruington is that in August, 
1772, James Greenwood and William Stovall were 
preaching not far from the place, when they were seized 
by virtue of a warrant,* and immediately taken to prison 
in the common jail of the county, where they remained 
sixteen days, at the end of which period they were re- 
leased upon giving bond for good behavior. 

" It seems probable, however, that previously in 
1772, and even in 1771, John Waller and other Baptists 
from one of the upper counties had already preached in 
this neighborhood. After them. Greenwood and Ivison 
Lewis held meetings here. But while there were Bap- 
tists living around Bruington as early as 1772, they were 
not organized until 1774, when they formed some con- 
nection with Piscataway Church in Essex. 

"About 1780 a church was constituted at Bruington 
under the care of William Jones, but in consequence of 
some charges against him it was thought advisable to 
dissolve, and the members returned to Piscataway and 
were regarded as a branch of that church until 1790, 
when, having been favored with a revival in which sev- 
eral influential persons were baptized, they formed a 
church of their own. At its organization on the fourth 
Saturday and Sunday In September, 1790, it was com- 

* James Greenwood was seized while preaching near Bruington 
Church and imprisoned in the County jail. There, the historian says, 
" he preached, and prayed, and wept ". 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 113 

posed of 150 members. Robert Semple,* being then in 
his 2 1 St year and having been previously baptized, was 
unanimously chosen pastor, and accepted the call. It is 
said that on the 24th of the same month in which he was 
baptized, he and the late Andrew Broaddus, Sr., both 
made their first attempt at preaching at the house of 
Mrs. Lowrie in Caroline. He was publicly ordained to 
the Gospel ministry on the 26th of September, 1790, 
by Elders Ware, Noel, and Lewis. On the same day 
Lewis Smith, Thomas Nunn, and William Whayne 
were ordained deacons. In 1791 they built their first 
house of worship, which stood on the opposite side of 
the road to the present building. It was a wooden 
structure, plain, unplastered, and uncomfortable, with 
no heating appliance, and no glass lights save one nar- 
row window at the pulpit. 

" Under Semple's ministry the church soon began to 
grow in influence, and took high rank for efficiency. 
Some were added by baptism every year, and then at 
the close of 1799 a work of grace was manifested which 
continued through many years, and was so remarkable 
that it was the subject of special notice in the Dover 
Association for the year 1800. It is said that the re- 
vival was due, not to preaching, but to singing, prayer, 
and exhortation by private members, and to the ordi- 
nance of baptism as most effectual; it was administered 
nearly every Lord's Day, and some of nearly all ages 
and ranks and both sexes were baptized. About one 
hundred and thirty were brought into the church, among 
them the late Elder William Todd, who soon afterward 
began to preach. On the third Sunday in March, 1804, 

* Robert Baylor Semple was of Scotch descent, born 1769, educated 
by Mr. Taylor and Rev. P. Nelson. He was teacher, lawyer, and 
preacher; was baptized in 1784 by Rev. Theodoric Noel. Semple had 
a keen knowledge of human nature and was well instructed in right- 
eousness; he "aimed his darts at the conscience, not at the head". 
In 1820 he was president of the old Baptist Triennial Convention. He 
was made D. D. by Brown University and William and Mary College. 
The last year of his life there was a great revival at Bruington and 
over a hundred persons were baptized. His last sermon was upon 
Exodus XV. u. 



114 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

he was dismissed, with about one hundred others, who 
resided in the lower vicinity of the church, to join Lower 
King and Queen Church. On the first Sunday in Au- 
gust, 1804, Josiah Ryland, WiUiam Fleet, William 
Holt and Thomas Courtney were ordained deacons. 
In 1809 a membership of three hundred was re- 
ported to the Dover Association, and between 
this date and 18 16 Moses Nunn, Justin Beadles, 
William Hill, Lewis Howerton, and Robert S. 
Jones are mentioned as deacons; later the names 
of Joel Willis, Thomas Garnett, and Hugh Camp- 
bell appear. William Fleet was Clerk in 18 12, 
and Thomas Nunn was Treasurer. In 18 16 a day of 
fasting and prayer was appointed on account of the low 
spiritual condition of the church, and also on account of 
a prevailing drought. On the Wednesday following 
fast day one of the best rains of the year came, in answer 
to prayer. At a church meeting in February, 18 17, a 
sister was cited before the church to answer the charge 
of leaving her father's house and marrying against his 
consent, she being under age. She appeared and apolo- 
gized, and a committee was appointed to intercede with 
her father for a reconciliation. 

" On November 27, 18 17, James Webb, a deacon of 
Piscataway, had been received by letter and recognized 
as a deacon of this church. As early as 18 16 it was pro- 
posed to build another house for worship ; the work was 
discussed and laid over until July 4, 18 18. The first 
service was held in the new house on the fourth Sunday 
in June, 1820. It was a brick structure, 70x33 feet, and 
stood upon the site of the present building. It had a 
gallery, a door at each end, and another door on the 
south side of the house, opposite to which on the north 
side stood the pulpit. About this time two things caused 
some trouble; one, the failure of members to attend 
service, and especially business meetings; the other, the 
failure of members to contribute to the support of the 
church. Measures more or less stringent were adopted 
to remedy these evils. 

" On the 29th of May, 1825, Robert Courtney, John 
Bagby, and John C. Richards were ordained deacons; 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 115 

27th of May, 1826, Hugh Campbell resigned as clerk 
and John Bagby was elected in his stead. On the 26th 
of April, 1827, Robert Ryland was publicly ordained 
to the Gospel ministry. In 1828 John Duval was elected 
as associate pastor and accepted (the pastor. Dr. Semple, 
had changed his residence to Fredericksburg, and Dr. 
Duval filled the pulpit on the third Sunday in his place) . 

"Dr. Semple died December 25th, 1831, having 
served the church from the time of its constitution to 
the day of his death. This eminent servant of God de- 
serves our highest testimonial of gratitude and thanks- 
giving. Under his ministry the church was uniformly 
happy and prosperous. A few years before his death 
he was called to a high and important position; but re- 
mained pastor here until he died. His annual salary 
probably did not exceed $100. In 18 14 the member- 
ship was three hundred; in 1824, three hundred and 
fifty. In 18 18, fifty baptisms were reported, and in 
1 83 1, one hundred and two. In December, 1818, a 
plan was devised for increasing interest in, and securing 
contributions for, missions. Revs. John Clark and Rob- 
ert S. Jones belonged here. The Dover Association met 
with the church in 1792, 1805, and 1820. 

" Elder Richard Claybrook * was chosen as Dr. Sem- 
ple's successor April 14th, 1832. He was a most worthy 
man, and seems to have been greatly loved by the church. 
He died December 4th, 1834, having had a most suc- 
cessful pastorate. In 1832 the membership was four 
hundred and sixty-five; in 1834, four hundred and eighty- 
three. Rev. Robert Ryland preached at the church 
one Sunday in each month for a period of fourteen 
months. About this time a fund was established for the 
maintenance of the poor. 

" Claybrook was succeeded by Rev. Eli Ball, who was 
chosen December 27, 1834, to preach two Sundays in 
each month and on Saturday before the first Sunday. 
July 4, 1840, Elder Ball resigned, having been called to 
an important work for the denomination. This pas- 
torate seems also to have been remarkably successful, 

* Richard Claybrook, b. 1785, in King William. 



116 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

the church reaching a membership of five hundred and 
eighty-six. The church during this period was active, 
too, in works of practical benevolence, A Sunday 
school was begun; as also temperance agitation, tract 
distribution, and an educational society. Regular weekly 
prayer meetings also were established; these were held 
mostly at private houses. It was in this pastorate, also, 
that regular collections were first taken for missionary 
purposes. It is notable that Mr. Charles Hill, a gen- 
tleman In the neighborhood of exemplary character, 
though not a professor of religion, gave his cordial help 
in the Sunday school. In 1836 brethren Thomas 
Haynes and Samuel P. Ryland were appointed superin- 
tendents of the Sunday school ; brother Haynes acted in_ 
that capacity for the most part until 1846, when he re-_. 
moved to Washington city, brother Ryland succeeding 
him. Meetings were also arranged for the benefit of 
the colored people, and a committee appointed to super- 
vise these meetings. In 1837 Thomas Haynes, S. P. 
Ryland, and Alexander Fleet were elected deacons. 

" The church being now again without a pastor, a 
day of fasting and prayer was observed, looking to the 
election of some one as under-shepherd. Elder WilUam 
Southwood * agreed to supply the pulpit for one year 
from August ist, 1840. August 29th Elder T. W. 
Sydnor was elected pastor and accepted for one year. 
He began work in January, 1841. The treasurer re- 
ported for this year (1841) $755.82 collected for be- 
nevolent objects. Twelve baptisms are reported. Elder 
Sydnor declined to serve a second year. By arrange- 
ment made in January, 1842, Elder William Southwood 
was to fill the pulpit on the first and fourth Sundays, 
R. H. Bagby on the second, and John O. Turpin on the 
third. June iith, 1842, R. H. Bagby was elected pas- 
tor. By many he was regarded as an answer to the 
prayers of the church. December, 1852, the church en- 
gaged with its pastor for preaching every Sunday, and 

* William Southwood, pastor in the latter part of 1840, was b. in 
England, October, 1783; d. October, 1850, and was buried under the 
church at St. Stevens. 






-v*^ •IPw,.^^ 




HON. J. H. C. JONES 

Judy:e of the County Court of King and Queen, President of the 
Baptist General Association of Virginia. 



FACING I i6 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 117 

fixed his salary at $500. On the first Sunday in Jan- 
uary, 1853, Alfred Bagby was publicly ordained to the 
ministry; July 28th of the same year William S. Ryland 
was ordained. In 1856 the church resolved not to retain 
in fellowship a member retailing ardent spirits. 

" In January, 1858, Joseph Ryland, James R. Fleet, 
and Leland Cosby were elected deacons, and on Sunday 
George F. Bagby was ordained to the ministry. During 
1858 $900.77 was collected for benevolent objects. 
May 31, 1863, Charles H. Ryland was ordained to the 
ministry; December 3 ist John W. Ryland was ordained. 
A Sabbath school for the colored children of the neigh- 
borhood was organized in 1863, with John Bagby, Jr., 
as Superintendent, and Alexander Fleet, Jr., as assistant. 
The school was conducted under an arbor in the church- 
yard. The Rappahannock Association met with the 
church in 1858 and 1866. 

" Elder Bagby's pastorate was counted a great suc- 
cess, and when he resigned, in 18 — , to enter upon work 
as field secretary of the State Mission Board, it was a 
matter of universal regret. His death on October 29th, 
1870, was a sad blow to the cause. His body and that 
of his wife, as also those of Dr. and Mrs. Semple, re- 
pose in the church cemetery near by." 

THE WIN.NING OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM. 

The following sketch appeared in the Richmond 
Times-Dispatch, November 11, 1906, under the head- 
ing: 

" Virginia's fight for free religion." 

With a few verbal corrections it is inserted here as 
a valuable contribution to the ecclesiastical history of 
Virginia, and thus, by its subject matter, of broad in- 
terest to the history of King and Queen County. 

" A collection of specially interesting and important 
manuscripts will be put on exhibition in the portrait gal- 
lery of the State Library this week by the Department 
of Archives and History. This collection is that of 
' religious petitions,' which were presented to the Gen- 



118 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

eral Assembly during the momentous years of the Revo- 
lution and the years succeeding. These documents will 
be so arranged, with accompanying cards, that the 
progress of the struggle which ended in complete re- 
ligious freedom may be studied from beginning to end. 
A number of these religious petitions will be included 
among the State Library's exhibit at the Jamestown 
Exposition. 

" Interesting as the history of the overthrow of estab- 
lished religion in Virginia is, the majority of people are 
ignorant of it. The story of the struggle is told in 
these petitions with a fullness seldom found, and conse- 
quently the collection will have a more than usual interest 
for those who love the history of the State. In fact, 
the religious petitions are the only source for certain 
phases of the religious conflict in Virginia, and this is 
the first time that they have been exhibited. 

" Origin of Petitions. — For a proper understanding 
of their value, it is necessary to know something of the 
conditions which produced them and the grievances that 
they endeavored to remedy. It is difficult for us, with 
our acquaintance with the present condition of things 
in Virginia, spiritual and temporal, to appreciate the 
conditions existing in the State at the beginning of the 
Revolution. 

" There was an established church in Virginia, the 
Church of England. The people were required to at- 
tend its services, and were taxed for its support. In 
return the people received the services of a somewhat 
inferior clergy, which was criticised as being unlearned, 
unenthusiastic and generally acquainted with the world, 
the flesh, and the devil. The criticism was probably 
overdrawn, but there can be no doubt that the clergy 
exercised little influence upon their parishioners. The 
burning zeal of the dissenting preachers, their rivals, 
may have thrown the clergy of the Established Church 
into a different relief from that in which they would 
stand to-day. 

" At all events, things religious were out of joint in 
Virginia for some years prior to the Revolution. The 
spirit of rebellion against authority was on foot through- 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 119 

out the Colony, and applied to religion as well as to 
politics. The Established Church, the Church of Eng- 
land in Virginia, became unpopular with many people be- 
cause of its connection with royal authority, the character 
of its clergymen, and, not the least, because of the taxes 
extorted for its maintenance. The local tyranny exer- 
cised by many vestries in church matters did not enhance 
the popularity of the Establishment. Indeed, some 
writers attribute the deficiencies of the Established 
Church to its lack of ecclesiastical control and the cor- 
responding power of the vestries. The church, they 
say, was not episcopal. 

" Wonderful Awakening. — Popular discontent with 
the church found expression in the celebrated ' Parsons' 
Cause,' in 1763, when the youthful Patrick Henry be- 
gan his fine agitating career. The clergy of some par- 
ishes attempted to collect their tithes of tobacco, as 
fixed by the law at so many pounds, at a time when 
tobacco was high. The law was appealed to; the par- 
sons were legally right, but Henry's tongue confounded 
them. 

" Conditions were ripe in Virginia for the growth of 
active dissent. The means of growth were supplied by 
one of those religious movements which have so often 
convulsed the British people. This was the great re- 
vival of the Wesleys, Whitefield, and Edwards. The 
conception of religion as a conscious and intimate rela- 
tionship between the soul and God was preached as 
never before, and awoke the slumbering religious in- 
stincts of the English-speaking people. 

" The Presbyterians were the first dissenting sect to 
enter Virginia as a sect. They were chiefly Scotch-Irish, 
of the West, and they did not all at once affect eastern 
Virginia. But some years before the Revolution the 
Presbyterians began to make headway in Hanover and 
the adjoining counties, and presently Baptists, Quakers, 
Methodists and others entered the Colony and propa- 
gated their doctrines. The Baptists, especially, grew 
rapidly, and disturbed the conventional and unemotional 
Virginia of the eighteenth century to its depths. 

" Indeed, the effects of a burning evangelical Chris- 



120 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

tianity, preached crudely, but with utmost sincerity, were 
marvelous. The old Virginia of that day was used to 
dull and sleepy lectures upon morality, delivered un- 
enthusiastically to high-backed pews and powdered dig- 
nity. Into this drowsy land the itinerant exhorters 
flocked and vividly painted heaven and hell, disturbing 
the peace of mind of the whole community. 

" Persecution Followed. — The first case of imprison- 
ment seems to have taken place in Fredericksburg in 
1768. John Waller, Lewis Craig, James Childs, and 
others, were hauled up before three magistrates, who 
offered to release them if they would promise to spare 
the county their sermons for a year and a day. They 
refused, and were marched to jail, singing as they went 
through the streets : ' Broad is the way that leads to 
death.' Some of the natives believe that the curse of 
this persecution stopped the growth of the town for a 
hundred years. 

" A number of similar cases of imprisonment fol- 
lowed, and legal persecution was sometimes accompanied 
by mob outrage, as the powerful emotions awakened by 
the religious revival antagonized those whom it did not 
attract. Persecution, as is sometimes the case, but not 
always, aided the growth of the persecuted sect. 

" The Baptists increased in numbers, as did the Pres- 
byterians, while many Quakers and other sectarians came 
into the State from the North. 

" It was now the beginning of the Revolution. The 
chief questions that strained the relations between King 
and Colonies were political, and religious matters might 
not necessarily have entered into the conflict to a great 
extent. This was certainly the preference of a majority 
of the leading patriots, who were churchmen, while they 
were rebels. But revolutions sometimes accomplish 
more than they aim at. The dissenters, now largely 
outnumbering the churchmen, were determined that re- 
ligious as well as political liberty should be secured, and 
the dissenters had the sympathy of some of the strongest 
men of the day. 

" A political motive for assisting the dissenters lay In 
the fact that the State would need their warm support 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 121 

in the coming struggle. To men as broad as Jefferson, 
Madison, and Mason, the occasion called for the general 
assertion of liberal principles. When the Convention 
of 1775 met as a convention, and no longer as the House 
of Burgesses, the dissenters began to send in petitions, 
and it was by petitions attacking or defending the Estab- 
lished Church that the struggle was chiefly waged. 

" The Baptists, in a petition dated August 14, I775) 
expressed sympathy for the patriot cause and asked that 
their ministers might have the liberty of preaching to 
the Virginia troops. The Convention could not well re- 
fuse this request, and passed a resolution permitting dis- 
senting clergymen to preach to the soldiers " for the 
ease of such scrupulous consciences as may not choose 
to attend divine services as celebrated by the chaplain." 

" The dissenters had not yet begun to attack the 
church in their petitions. The first move for complete 
religious freedom came from the convention of 1776, in 
the Bill of Rights. In this notable body sat Archibald 
Cary, Robert Carter Nicholas, Patrick Henry, Richard 
Bland, Thomas Ludwell Lee, John Blair, Meriwether 
Smith, James Mercer, Edmund Pendleton, Edmund 
Randolph, Henry Tazewell, James Madison, George 
Mason, and other men of mark. Some of them were 
strong defenders of the Establishment, but the genuine 
love of liberty which animated Mason, Madison, and 
their followers, as well as the necessities of the moment, 
prevailed, and the famous sixteenth article of the Bill of 
Rights was passed. It reads: 'That religion, or the 
duty we owe to our Creator, and the manner of dis- 
charging it, can be directed only by reason and convic- 
tion, and not by force or violence; and, therefore, all 
men are equally entitled to the free exercise of religion 
according to the dictates of conscience; and that it is the 
mutual duty of all to practice Christian forbearance, 
love and charity towards each other.' 

" Baptist and Presbyterian Onslaught. — This article 
was adopted June 12, 1776, and on June 20 the Bap- 
tists attacked the Establishment in a petition asking that 
they be allowed to maintain their ministers and enjoy 
the ministrations of these without the necessity of sup- 



12^ KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

porting the clergy of ' other denominations ' — mean- 
ing, of course, the clergy of the Establishment. 

" The first General Assembly of Virginia met in Octo- 
ber, 1776. The attack on the Establishment then 
became general, and many petitions, chiefly from the 
Presbyterians, poured in upon the legislature. The 
Presbytery of Hanover asked for the repeal of laws 
countenancing religious denominations and enforcing 
taxation for their benefit. One immense petition, signed 
by 10,000 names, and many yards in length, attested 
to the number and unanimity of the dissenters. 

" The Assembly bowed before the public will, and 
passed a law on December 9th, 1776, exempting dis- 
senters from the support of the church. This bill was 
carried only after a severe struggle, in which Pendleton 
and Nicholas led the conservatives. 

" Dissenters were relieved of the burden of supporting 
the Establishment with their taxes, but the question of 
State interference in religious matters was not yet settled. 
It was still a debated question whether there should be 
taxation for ecclesiastical purposes. Meanwhile, the 
opponents of the Establishment secured a postponement 
of the payment to it of any taxes at all. This condition 
of abeyance lasted through the years 1 776-1 779, in 
which time a number of petitions were presented, asking 
for the overthrow of the Establishment, or opposing the 
system of church taxation, which was called assessment. 

"Jefferson's Act Held Up. — In the session of 1779 
the opponents of the Established Church made a deter- 
mined assault upon it, and succeeded in crippling it seri- 
ously, although they were not able to secure their full 
demands. Taxation for the benefit of the clergy of the 
Establishment had been suspended for three years. Five 
suspending acts were passed, and in 1779 the laws for 
the support of the clergy were repealed. It now became 
impossible for the old Establishment to hope for an ex- 
clusive benefit from taxation, although the question of 
taxation itself still remained undecided. 

" The settlement of the latter could have been accom- 
plished by the passage of Jefferson's ' Act for Estab- 
lishing Religious Freedom in Virginia.' The bill for 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 123 

religious freedom was reported in the House of Dele- 
gates in June, 1779. It was held up, the enemy being 
too strong. The act, as finally passed, reads: ' Be it en- 
acted by the General Assembly, that no man shall be 
compelled to frequent or support any religious worship, 
place or ministry whatsoever, nor shall he be enforced, 
restrained, molested or burthened in his body or goods, 
nor shall he otherwise suffer on account of his religious 
opinions or belief, but that all men shall be free to pro- 
fess and by argument to maintain their opinions in 
matters of religion, and that the same shall in no wise 
diminish, enlarge or affect their civil capacities.' 

" The bill was not passed, however, at this session, 
and for a number of sessions to come. The bill failed to 
pass for several reasons. In i78o-'8i the State was 
deeply involved in the progress of the war. After the 
establishment of peace in 1783, the old church, which 
had been paralyzed by the war, began to show signs of 
reviving. A plan was brought forward to secure the 
property still held loosely by the church, by means of 
an act of incorporation, and to provide for the support 
of the clergy by a system of general taxation of all the 
citizens of the State for the benefit of the various 
churches. 

" This law would give each person the right to 
choose the church which should receive his tax. In this 
way the Presbyterians, Baptists, Methodists — if they 
considered themselves separate — and other sects, would 
be established, as well as the Protestant Episcopal 
Church, which was the successor and heir of the old 
Establishment. 

" Several Makeshifts. — The plan was formidable 
through its leading advocate, who was none other 
than Patrick Henry. Time and responsibility had 
cooled the once ardent radical and he had become the 
maintainer instead of the upsetter of systems. A num- 
ber of Presbyterians, and perhaps some other dissenters, 
seem to have favored this plan, which would have had 
the merit of making preaching a somewhat less pre- 
carious profession than it was. 

" A large part of the Assembly was Episcopalian. It 



124 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

was accordingly possible to do something for the bat- 
tered old church. As a result, a law was passed in 
1784 providing for the incorporation of the Episcopal 
Church. 

" By this law vestries were empowered to acquire 
property of a certain income; they might indulge in 
lawsuits or be sued, and (principally) they might hold 
the glebes and other church property formerly belong- 
ing to the Establishment, and now claimed by the Epis- 
copal Church as heir. This act was followed in 
December, 1784, by ' A bill establishing a provision for 
the teachers of the Christian religion.' The bill em- 
bodied the plan for the general support of religion and 
religious sects by means of taxation. 

" It was true that this bill gave the same right to all 
sects which called themselves Christians, a term that in 
those days was largely inclusive. It was not, however. 
In the line of religious freedom, and small consolation 
would the irreligious taxpayer have found in the privi- 
lege of choosing a destination for his unwillingly paid 
taxes. Immediately the war of petitions was renewed 
as never before, and from almost every county of the 
State came denunciations of the plan, or fervent appeals 
for its support. 

'' Madison to the Rescue. — James Madison was the 
leader in the fight against incorporations and assessment. 
He put forth his famous ' Remonstrance,' which at 
once had great effect throughout Virginia. The balance 
went decidedly against the taxation plan. The Presby- 
terians, who had in some instances favored assessment, 
now closed up solidly against it, and the Baptists, who 
had been solidly against it all along, refreshed their 
zeal. Madison seized the opportunity to bring forward 
once more Jefferson's bill for religious freedom. 

" Modest James had proved to be a trusty guardian 
of the bill which his great and good friend, Jefferson, 
had fathered, and had stood by it through many disap- 
pointments. The bill passed the House on December 
17th, 1785, and put an end to all church establishment, 
general or particular. 

" But the Episcopal Church was still incorporated, 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 125 

and the other religious sects sent in petition after peti- 
tion opposing it, signed apparently by nearly all the in- 
habitants of the State. As long as the church continued 
incorporated, its title to the old glebes and other prop- 
erty handed down to it remained good. The Legislature 
bowed again before what was mainly the popular will, 
and in 1786 repealed the incorporating act. The glebes 
continued to remain in the hands of the vestries, where 
there were any vestries, but they were held by a very 
uncertain tenure. 

" It was the object of the Baptists to change this un- 
certain possession into certain dispossession. The 
principle of republican equality was on their side. From 
1786 until the end of the century the Baptists, and pos- 
sibly other dissenters, continually put in petitions for the 
sale of the glebes and the appropriation of the proceeds 
for other purposes than the support of religious denomi- 
nations, — delenda est Carthago! 

" The Episcopalians struggled pathetically against 
the loss of this last privilege, which appeared to them as 
an absolute right. ' That conceiving their society hath 
under laws passed more than a century previous to the 
Revolution,' said one of their petitions, dated in 1797, 
' the same right to their glebe and church as each indi- 
vidual has to his property legally vested during the royal 
government, they have continued to hold and use them 
for their appropriate purposes : in all other respects con- 
sidering themselves in a state of perfect equality with 
their brethren of other societies, — ardently wishing to 
live in pfeace and harmony, and the intercourse of benev- 
olence and charity, with all.' This was a strong plea, 
but the opponents of the Episcopal glebes were able to 
put forth the argument that the glebes in many cases 
represented the taxation of all the inhabitants, dissenters 
as well as churchmen, for the benefit of the old Estab- 
lishment alone, and, therefore, that no single church had 
the right to property so gotten ; consequently that the 
State should use the property for purposes which would 
benefit all. 

" The unfailing supply of petitions at last produced 
their effect. In January, 1802, the Assembly passed an 



126 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

act directing the sale of the glebes, and the proceeds 
were devoted chiefly to the poor. The last scene of the 
religious drama in Virginia was thus played, and the 
Establishment totally passed away." 

The supporters of ecclesiastical establishment and tax- 
ation had argued that the withdrawal of all State sup- 
port from religion would mean the overthrow of reli- 
gion; that religion in this world of evil cannot stand 
alone. Dissenters retorted with a reminder of the friend- 
less but healthy condition of the primeval church. In 
the early years of the nineteenth century the former 
seemed to have the best of the argument, for religion 
was in a sad state of decline. This came about, how- 
ever, from other causes than disestablishment. It was 
chiefly due to the license bred by war and upheaval, and 
to the propagation of " French principles " in the State. 
Virginia became full of skepticism and atheism. Curi- 
ously enough, skepticism and atheism flourished as a 
green bay-tree, — and yet withered, for before many years 
had passed there was a great and general revival of reli- 
gion in the old commonwealth, and the French influence 
lingered as only a memory. 



PART II 
CIVIL WAR ANNALS 



CHAPTER VIII 

THE WAR STARTS — THE HOME GUARD 

It is easy to understand that the great events of this 
period constituted a crisis in our county as well as in 
all the Southland. Our people — at least an overwhelm- 
ing majority of them — were for the Union so long as 
there was hope left. Our representative in the Virginia 
Convention was a Union man until President Lincoln 
called for troops to overrun our sister Southern States; 
then everything underwent a change, and with few ex- 
ceptions the county voted to oppose Mr. Lincoln's meas- 
ures and voted for secession. With great unanimity 
and cordiality our people assumed the gigantic respon- 
sibility which fell upon them. Could General McClel- 
lan's views have been carried out, his great army would 
have landed at Urbanna and passed through the county 
with Richmond as the objective point. This, I believe, 
is undisputed history. Mr. Lincoln overruled him, and 
Fortress Monroe became his base. Up to late in the 
spring of 1862 we had not suffered any material hard- 
ships from the war. We were separated from the great 
armies by the York River below, and the Mattapony 
higher up. This circumstance saved us from untold 
trouble which afflicted other people more remote from 
Richmond than ourselves. 

So soon as Mr. Lincoln's election was announced, 
we witnessed a great upstir; the militia had more fre- 
quent drills, under Colonel J. R. Bagby, Lieutenant 
Colonel T. R. Gresham, Major Roderick Dew, etc. 
Lincoln was inaugurated, Sumter was taken, and the 
government called for 70,000 soldiers to retake forts. 
The State Convention at once passed a vote of seces- 
sion. General Lee was made commander-in-chief, and 
soon Virginia joined her sisters in the South. 

129 



130 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

When the tocsin of war was sounded our people 
showed their metal in the sending of five infantry com- 
panies to the war, besides several cavalry companies. 

King and Queen County from first to last sent five 
infantry companies into the field. We give those com- 
panies in order: June 24, 1861, Twenty-sixth Virginia 
Regiment; regular officers, Colonel Powell Page, Lieu- 
tenant Colonel J. C. Councill, Major J. S. Garrett. 
Company H, Captain R. A. Sutton (died since war). 
First Lieutenant J. D. Taylor, Second Lieutenant W. C. 
Gayle. Company C, Twenty-sixth Regiment, Wise 
Brigade (see paper by Lieutenant J. W. Hundley). 
Company I, Twenty-sixth Virginia Regiment, Captain 
Spencer (see paper by Captain James Pollard). Com- 
pany K, Thirty-fourth Virginia Regiment, Colonel 
Goode, Lieutenant Colonel Harrison, Major J. R. 
Bagby, Captain A. F. Bagby, etc. (see paper by Orderly 
Sergeant Dr. John Bagby) . 

Many from the county joined various companies re- 
cruited in other sections, and we feel it to be a duty to 
mention among these last the following names which 
appear to us to shine resplendent in the ranks of Lee 
and Stuart. There are other names worthy of mention 
had we space for them: 

Captain Thomas W. Haynes (Company H, Ninth 
Virginia), son of Captain Thomas Haynes of Bruing- 
ton, joined the Lee Rangers. He was as gallant a sol- 
dier as ever drew sword. Dashing and fearless, he 
received a desperate wound from which he never recov- 
ered, though he lived to be treasurer of King William 
County. He married a Miss Hawes, and died many 
years ago, William Campbell, now an honored resi- 
dent of Dunsville, Essex County, and once representa- 
tive in the legislature of Virginia, was a native of King 
and Queen. He married Miss Janett Latane. When 
the war came on he was in the far Northwest, and on 
his way back to King and Queen visited an uncle in 
Illinois, who made every effort to detain him, but 
failed. He then joined the cavalry, and proved hirn- 
self among the bravest of the brave. An incident is 
told of him in Stewart's Raid in rear of McClellan, 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA Ifil 

May, 1862. Near Old Church he came face to face 
with an accomplished Northern cavalryman, trained at 
West Point in all the arts of sword practice. The con- 
flict was severe and ended in the complete disarming 
and capture of the Federal soldier. Presently the cap- 
tive said to Campbell: "I can't understand how you 
succeeded in disarming me." Campbell answered, " I 
am left-handed." " Now I understand," said the cap- 
tive. That left hand was, and still Is, dangerous. 
Colonel Thomas Smith was a son of Hon. James 
Smith of Smithfield, King and Queen, and a brother of 
the late Captain James W. Smith of the Twenty-second 
Virginia Battery, and was noted for soldiery conduct. 
P. E. Lipscomb, at present doorkeeper of the House of 
Delegates (he married Miss Imogen Hawes of Poplar 
Grove) , fought well and lost a leg In battle. 

A citizen's diary 

The extracts below are from a diary kept by one 
of the most venerated citizens of the county during the 
war, and present a vivid picture of the status here dur- 
ing the whole of this eventful period. So far as we 
know, this is the only diary extant of that period In the 
county. The author begs pardon in advance if these 
extracts should seem to relate to one section of the 
county, and largely to the soldiers In that immediate 
vicinity. What is said here In commemoration of the 
soldier boys from Stevensville may be understood to 
apply with equal force to every company from King and 
Queen. It would be a pleasure to give details from 
each company In turn, but that Is not practicable, for 
want of necessary data. 

It must be borne in mind that our county is separated 
from Richmond by the two branches of the York River, 
Pamunkey and Mattapony. This fact doubtless saved 
our people from numberless and nameless worries. We 
were by no means, however, exempted from the com- 
mon perils and conflicts incident to the situation. The 
people were In full sympathy with the Confederate 
Government, and did what they could for the common 



132 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

cause. In addition a home guard was organized by 
and by, composed of men and youths who for one 
cause and another were exempted from service in the 
army. Rev. R. H. Bagby, D. D., was made captain 
of one company, and the rank and file was made 
up of some of the first citizens of the county, — 
Joseph Ryland, James R. Fleet, B. T. Taylor, W. P. 
Courtney, Sylvanus Gresham, Robert Pollard, Jr., Hal- 
bach, Porter, and others, — making in all a company of 
a hundred cool, daring men, ready to pursue, to stand 
on defense, and, if need be, to suffer for their people. 
This company never failed to strike at the public enemy 
when he came our way, and it is reported that a distin- 
guished Federal general remarked that he had met no 
such spirited opposition in any other county in the State 
as in King and Queen. It will be seen in the sequel how 
these old men distinguished themselves in encounters 
with Union forces. 

Kilpatrick's Raid. — General Kilpatrick, commanding 
a body of horse, came into the county May 5-6, 1863, 
and camped in a field opposite Locust Cottage (Ste- 
vensville). That night our people had a new experi- 
ence, and there occurred at Locust Cottage, the home 
of Mr. and Mrs. John N. Gresham, a scene which, 
withal, was highly amusing. The General sent word to 
Mrs. G. that he and his aids would take tea with her. 
She made ready, and the company sat down. As the 
lady of the house poured out the tea, she boldly re- 
marked, " Did I ever think it would come to this, that 
I should be pouring out tea for Yankee soldiers, come 
to waste and destroy?" The General, not at all dis- 
concerted, coolly remarked: "Never mind, madam, we 
have only come to seek and to save that which was lost." 
The cavalry did no special harm, save that numerous 
horses were taken, and next morning went on its way. 
Stragglers from the ranks, however, not under the eye 
of the General, were very offensive. Old citizens, nota- 
bly Samuel P. Ryland and James Robert Fleet, were 
unhorsed, robbed, and beaten. 

The Spears Raid, so-called. — On July 8th, 1862, a 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 133 

squad of cavalry came up from Gloucester Point and 
camped at King and Queen Courthouse, the object 
being to break up boats and prevent crossing the river 
on the road to Richmond. We give here an interesting 
account by Dr. B. H. Walker of an encounter next day 
between them and the home guard at Walkerton. The 
account in Dr. Walker's diary runs : 

" So soon as we learned that the Yankees were coming up the road 
towards W^alkerton, Major Bagby [at home on furlough], and I ar- 
ranged a plan to capture them. I was to go the Ridge road by Butler's 
Tavern, gather all the men I could, and make for Walkerton. When 
I reached that village, I found several of the home guard, and others, 
including Mordecai Cook, a youth, eight in all. In half an hour a 
Yankee lieutenant, with five men rode up, inquired for the ferryboat; 
but the ferryboat had been hastily taken down the river. Presently 
the lieutenant walked into the store. My gun was lying on the counter. 
He and I scuffled over the gun. William Turner shot him with a 
pistol, but he ran out into the yard, and Alfred Gwathmey shot him 
with buckshot. A fusilade began between us and the remaining four 
men. One man was shot from his horse and another from behind a 
tree by Mordecai and killed. The rest were scattered. I then agreed 
to go up to Richmond and post the authorities about conditions in our 
county. Colonel Goode at White House was ordered by General Lee, 
through mj'self, to send soldiers to our aid. Before he could do so, 
the enemy had retired to Gloucester Point." 

Major Bagby and Holder Hudgins. — Pending all 
this, Major Bagby had come into the river road near 
Mantua Ferry, where a citizen from Mathews named 
Holder Hudgins, with a wagonload of provisions on the 
way to Richmond, had been halted by a squad of Union 
cavalry. The major, without disclosing his identity, 
remonstrated against the arrest of private citizens, and 
the soldiers were evidently intimidated. The major 
withdrew, and taking a position just below, awaited 
developments. Presently two soldiers came down at a 
rapid pace, and refusing to halt when summoned, the 
major fired, killing one of them. The rest of the squad 
were captured by the home guard. Thus ended the 
first raid into King and Queen County. 

Dahlgren Raid, March 2-3, 1864. — Lieutenant Col- 



134 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

onel Ulric Dahlgren, a son of Admiral D., U. S. N., 
was young, dashing, and chivalrous. We here subjoin 
a succinct account of this notable raid from a painstak- 
ing statement of the facts compiled by Prof. John 
Pollard, D. D. : 



"In the winter of 1863-4 the Army of North Virginia lay near 
Orange Courthouse, the Army of the Potomac (General Meade) in 
Culpepper County, the Rapidan separating them. In February an ex- 
pedition, supposed to be planned by government in Washington. Gen- 
eral Kilpatrick, with four thousand cavalry, to pass General Lee's right 
flank, destroy railways, and dash into Richmond. February 28th,- 7 
P. M., Kilpatrick left Stevensburg, crossed at the lower ford (Ely's) 
to Spottsylvania. Here Dahlgren with four hundred picked men was 
detached to go by Frederick Hall (C. & O. R. R.), capture a park of 
artillery there, cross James River to south side, release prisoners at 
Belle Isle, arm them, set city on fire, etc. The colonel picked up a 
negro guide to lead him to a ford over the James, and was carried 
to Dover Mills. He reached Dover Mills at 8 A. M., March ist — two 
nights and one day on road — say ninety miles. Thus far, all well, 
though tired. But at Dover the poor negro could not point out a ford, 
and was hung for his pains. When Dahlgren, turning then down the 
river to rejoin General Kilpatrick, reached neighborhood of city, 
Kilpatrick had been driven off and moved down Peninsula. Dahl- 
gren came within three miles of city, lost forty men, and was com- 
pelled to retire and escape as best he could. He moved around to Hun- 
gary station (R. F. & P.), came to Brooke Turnpike, and moved north- 
east. Meantime his force separated — some moving after Kilpatrick, and 
one hundred or one hundred and fifty under Dahlgren to cross Pamun- 
key and Mattapony and so retire to Gloucester Point. Entered King 
William at Hanover Town, King and Queen at Ayletts. This county 
is sixty-five miles long, running along the Mattapony, with not a single 
settlement larger than a village. Average of virtue and intelligence far 
above usual, [the people] ardently devoted to Confederate cause and 
ready to assert their devotion. Young men were at the front ; old men 
organized a regular company (officers commissioned regularly), as home 
guard for local defense. R. H. Bagby, D. D., captain, — one of the 
ablest ministers in Virginia. In addition to home guard there were 
fifty or seventy-five troopers from army in the county recruiting. So 
soon as it was known that Colonel Dahlgren was crossing the river 
above, the defense began to gather in squads. It was now March 3, 
1864. Half mile above Bruington his rear attacked by twenty-five men, 
and one man killed, — a corporal, — just at Bethlehem, a colored church. 
" The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church," said a Confed- 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 135 

crate. Below Bruington the road branches, one fork passing down 
toward and along the river, the other by Stevensville, rejoining the 
first a mile below that point. At point of junction is the " Dahlgren 
corner." The home guard and some sixty soldiers having moved ahead, 
stationed themselves in a wooded thicket here, about nightfall, and 
awaited Dahlgren's approach. 

"Captain Fox was in supreme command (Major Pollard sick at Mr. 
Bagby's), his men posted on northeast angle of the two roads. Night 
without moon, but not all dark. 

" Just about midnight Dahlgren moved slowly down upon corner. 
Discovering his enemy, there was a recoil, but Dahlgren drew his pistol, 
called to his men, and moved up, resolutely demanding surrender. The 
flash of arms broke upon midnight shadows, and Colonel Dahlgren, 
young, ardent, brave, enthusiastic, fell over into a ditch, pierced by five 
bullets. The column then withdrew into a neighboring field. Chris- 
topher B. Fleet and A. C. Acree scouted around and located them. Next 
morning all surrendered save officers, who escaped but were captured 
afterwards by Captain R. H. B. The captures amounted to one hun- 
dred and thirty-five soldiers, forty negroes, besides horses and arms. 
Major Cook, second in command, left with four or five others during 
night, but was taken as aforesaid.^ Colonel Dahlgren's watch, memo- 
randum-book, and ring were taken; and there was some mutilation, 
which was afterwards regretted. A lock of his hair 2 was preserved 
by Mrs. Juliet Pollard, and afterwards sent to his father. [He was 
signally avenged by General Kilpatrick in the burning of the county 
courthouse, clerk's office, etc.] The morning following, a rude coffin was 
made, and by and by a grave dug. A few gentle friends were in the 
act of lowering the body into grave, when orders came to send body 
to Richmond. This was done and he was buried at Oakwood. Thence 
it was secretly removed, through Miss Van Lew, a Union sympathizer, 
to the neighborhood of Laurel, whence again it went north into the 
hands of his family after the surrender. The admiral wrote to the 
government immediately after the surrender, inclosing one hundred 
dollars in gold and asking for the body. As it had been moved from 

iThis is interesting: Thirty years after this a young man entered a 
hotel in a western city and recorded the name Bagby. The eye of a 
stranger fell upon the lettering. He asked the young man if he was 
from King and Queen County, Virginia. On receiving an affirmative 
answer he proved to be the identical Major Cook, and the young man 
before him a son of his old captor. They had a kindly chat together. 

2 This was taken from his head by Moore B. Wright, a member of 
the home guard, and was left in the keeping of Mrs. John Pollard, Sr. ; 
after Appomattox the hair was left in charge of the provost at Stevens- 
ville, to be transmitted to Admiral Dahlgren. 



136 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

Oakwood by secret Federal sympathizers, the government was greatly 
perplexed. Evacuation solved the difficulty. Thus the colonel was 
buried four times. 

After Colonel Dahlgren was killed the officers of his command, six 
in number, with Major Cook in the lead, escaped. Next day, March 
4th, they came, well-nigh starved, to the overseer's house on farm of 
Captain R. H. Bagby, some two hundred yards from the dwelling. The 
preacher-captain at once seized his pistol and followed by his son, 
Dr. J. B., and a colored servant, Jim Boler, rushed into the house where 
the officers were seated waiting for supper, no guard as yet being 
stationed, and the officers at once surrendered to his summons. The 
whole party were sent prisoners to Richmond. 

Confederate force at Dahlgren Corner on night of March 3, 1864: 
Cavalry, Pollard, twenty-five men; Captain Fox, fifteen men; Captain 
Todd, nine men ; Captain Magruder, seventy men. Captain Bagby's 
home guard, thirty-four men; Captain Halbach (schoolboys), fourteen. — 
one hundred and sixty-seven men in all. Only about one hundred of 
Dahlgren's men were captured, some were killed enroute, and probably 
some escaped. After the capture large quantities of silverware, rings, 
and watches, with other valuables, which had been taken from wealthy 
families, were retaken from the persons of the prisoners." 



Second Kilpatrick Raid, March lo, 1864. — Gen- 
eral Kilpatrick, at the head of a large cavalry force, 
came up from Gloucester Point March 10, 1864, to 
avenge the loss of Dahlgren and his force. The Court- 
house, clerk's office, tavern, and private property were 
burned. Kilpatrick was opposed by General Beal with 
the Ninth Confederate Cavalry, and lost some of his 
men, but soon returned, leaving smouldering ruins in 
his track. 



Sheridan's Raid. — Part of Burnside's corps passed 
through' the upper portion of the county May, 1864, 
but made no tarrying. Later, General Sheridan, re- 
turning from his engagement with Hampton at Trevil- 
lians, came into the county and camped at the Court- 
house, but returned the next day and rejoined General 
Grant on the Chickahominy. Our people suffered more 
from this raid than perhaps from any other during the 
war. Our people were greatly overwhelmed, in com- 
mon with their fellows, when tidings came of the sur- 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 137 

render at Appomattox. Sheridan camped, both going 
and coming, at Farmington, five miles above Walkerton. 
He burned Walkerton Mill and otherwise inflicted great 
damage. 

(By Spottswood Bird.) 

A Major Wilson of the Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Cavalry, U. S. A., was in command of the first Federal 
force which came up the county in 1862. On June — , 
1862, he captured three Confederate soldiers at Fra- 
zier's Ferry (on King and Queen side), and brought 
them to the Courthouse, where he kept them until the 
afternoon of that day. He sent a party of about twelve 
men with a lieutenant to Walkerton, where they en- 
countered some youths and citizens who had hastily 
gathered there for defense. The encounter resulted in 
the death and wounding of several of the enemy and 
the capture of all the rest, except one man, who escaped 
and reached the Courthouse that afternoon, on whose 
arrival and report of the disaster to them. Major Wil- 
son hastened his force back to Gloucester Point as rap- 
idly as possible. He took a wagon and pair of mules 
from Mrs. Martin in which to carry the three captured 
Confederates, promising her to return the wagon and 
mules, which, to the surprise of us all, he did in about a 
week or ten days later, sending them by a citizen oi 
Gloucester County, who at his request took a receipt 
from Mrs. Martin for the return of the wagon and 
team. The demeanor and gentlemanly conduct of this 
Major Wilson and his men while at the Courthouse 
were in the highest degree commendable, and in lumi- 
nous contrast to the vandalism which ever afterwards 
characterized the raids under officers of a far different 
type, who spread terror and destruction in their path. 

Colonel Spears of the Eleventh Regiment, Pennsyl- 
vania Cavalry, burned all the buildings, public and pri- 
vate, at King and Queen Courthouse on the morning of 
March loth, 1864. 

The following were members of Company F, Twenty- 
fourth Virginia Cavalry, organized at King and Queen 



138 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

Courthouse in spring of 1863: L. W. Allen, captain; 
Preston Bird, Spottswood Bird, T. N. Jones, and James 
E. Hooper. There were two other companies of cav- 
alry organized at the same time and place, one com- 
manded by Captain Richard Hord of Gloucester 

County, and the other by Captain , afterwards 

by Captain James Jeffries. 



CHAPTER IX 

ROSTERS OF KING AND QUEEN COUNTY IN THE 
CIVIL WAR 

Officers of Twenty-sixth Virginia Regiment: Colonel, Powell Page; 
Lieutenant-Colonel, J. C. Councill; Majors, Joseph Garrett and N. B. 
Street. 

COMPANY C, TWENTY-SIXTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 

(Wise's Brigade). 
[Supplied by Rev. John W. H. Hundley]. 



Captain, 
First Lieutenant, 
Second Lieutenant, 
Second Lieutenant, 
First Sergeant, 
Second Sergeant, 
Third Sergeant, 
Fourth Sergeant, 



N. B. Street 
James R. Houser 
John W. Hundley 
James R. Hart 
Andrew B. Cauthorn 
Benjamin F. Eubank 
Lemuel S. Roane 
Joseph Tucker 



Corporals : 
Lumpkin. 



Robert Bland, William Didlake, Thomas Dike, Robert 



(At the reorganization in 1862 Lieutenant Hart was succeeded by 
Andrew B. Cauthorn; James Thurston was made First Sergeant.) 

Company C was mustered into service at Gloucester Point, June 12th 
(I think), 1861. 

Privates : 
Burbank, Jacob - Collier, Robert 

Burton, Cornelius - Collins, John 

Carlton, John Corr, D. F. 

Carlton, Richard isl Creswell, John ^ 

Carlton, Richard 2d Davis, 

Carlton, Robert Davis, Benjamin 

Carlton, Wm. Henry Eubank, John 2 

1 Killed at Nottaway Bridge, 1864. 

2 Killed, , June 15, 1864. 



Adkins, John 
Ainsley, William 
Allen, William 
Bland, James Polk 
Booton, Benjamin 1 
Booton, Henry 
Booton, William 



3 Taken prisoner, June 15, 1864. 
139 



140 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 



Evans, Cyrus 
Fleet, James 
Flemming, Dennis 
Fletcher, Robert 
Garrett, Joeeph 
Garrett, Lemuel 
Garrett, Montgomery 
Gibson, George 
Good, John 
?Iart, Jos. W. (Rev.) 
Hilliard, Quint 3 
Hoskins, John B. 
Hurt, Buck 
Jesse, Richard 
Kerr, Harvey 
Kidd, W. H. 
Lucas, Thomas 



Lucas, William 
Lumpkin, Quint 
Moody, W. H. 
Muire, James 
Muire, Samuel 
Newbill, George T. 
Newbill, William T. 
Oliver, Frank ^ 
Oliver, Leslie 
Parron, Henry 
Pendleton, George 
Prince, James 
Purcell, R. B. 
Redd, George 
Redd, John 
Richerson, Andrew * 
Richerson, Elias 



Richerson, W. J. 

Smither, 

Smither, William 

Shelton, (i) 

Shelton, (2) 

Taylor, ^ 

Taylor, Philip 
Taylor, Richard 
Trice, Edward * 
Tyler, Benjamin R. 
Tyler, Lewis A. 
Watkins, Corbin 
Watlington, James 
Williams, Calhoun 
Williams, Char'es ( ?) 
Williams, Junius B. 
Wilson, 6 



COMPANY G, TWENTY-SIXTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 

[By W. S. Courtney.] 

Captain, R. H. Spencer (captured, Petersburg, June 15, '64) 

First Lieutenant, R. B. Roy (captured, Hatcher's Run, April 7, '65) 

Second Lieutenant, M. B. Davis (wounded and captured, Petersburj 

June 15, 1864; killed, Hatcher's Run) 
Third Lieutenant, A. P. Bird (wounded, died at home) 



First Sergeant, J. W. Turner ; Second Sergeant, William H. Jackson 
(captured) ;Third Sergeant, William J. Eubank; Fourth Sergeant, 
F. A. Morsball (killed) ; Fifth Sergeant, J. M. Bew (wounded, 
Hewlett House, May 20, 1864) 

Corporals: G. F. Hart, G. W. Hayes (killed, June 15, 1864), G. W. 
Turner (killed), James H. Turner. 



3 Taken prisoner, June 15, 1864. 

4 Killed, July, 1864. 

^ Mortally wounded, June 17, 1864. 
« Died near Chaffin's Bluff, 1863. 




CAPT. EDWARD CAMPBELL FOX 

Fifth Virginia Cavalry, Army Northern Virginia, in command at 
Dahlgren's Corner ; killed in battle at Yellow Tavern. 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 141 

PRIVATES : 



Acree, Horace 
Acree, W. N. 
Bew, Hezekiah 
Bew, Jno. 
Bland, Dr. J. E. 
Bray, W. T. 
Brooks, William G. 
Brown, George 
Brown, J. L. 
Burton, R. C. 
Burton, R. E. 
Burton, Robert B. 
Callis, Charles 
Cardwell, George W.^ 
Cardwell, J. N.- 
Carlton, Ira 
Carlton, Levi 
Carlton, W. B.3 
Carter, Frank 
Carter, Robert 
Cauthorn, G. W. 
Colly, James 
Colly, Jno.* 
Courtney, W. S.* * 
Crittenden, S. S. 
Davis, Albert 
Davis, James A. 
Davis, Joseph A. 
Diggs, R. D. 



Donovan, Jno. 
Edwards, Alfred ^ 
Edwards, Dunbar 
Egar, J. H. 
Estis, F. B.* 
Estis, J. S. 
Eubank, A. W. 
Gaines, Jno. 
Garrett, Augustin 
Garrett, Richard * 
Garrett, Thomas C* 
Gibson, Adolphus 
Gibson, George - 
Gibson, Jno. C. 
Groom, Benjamin 
Guthrie, B. E. 
Milliard, Allen 
Hogg, William 
Huckstep, Charles H. 
Hurt, W. H.t 
Knapp, Joseph N. 
Landrum, Joseph * 
Marshall, Jno.* 
Mirick, Newton * 
Murphy, W. A. 
Norman, J. G. 
Norman, James J. 
Oglesby, George * 
Oglesby, Richard* 



Oglesby, William 
Parker, Albert 
Parker, S. P. 
Rives, James 
Seward, Ed. 
Seward, John ^ 
Seward, R. B.* 
Smith, Lewis W. 
Spencer, Gideon L. 
Spencer, James R. 
Spencer, T. B. 
Thurston, F. A.3 
Thurston, William 
Tuttle, Edw. D. 
Tuttle, Jerome 
Walton, L. R. 
Walton, Reuben ^ 
Wheeler, Baylor 
Wyatt, Andrew 
Wyatt, Jno. R. 
Wyatt, Levi 
Wyatt, Robert S. 
Wyatt, Thomas W. 
Wyatt, W. N.» 
Yarrington, Andrew 
Yarrington, James ^ 
Yarrington, R. H. 



COMPANY H, TWENTY-SIXTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 
[By Lieutenant J. D. Taylor.] 
(Wise's Brigade). 
Mustered in June 24, 1861, Gloucester Point, Va. 
Captain, R. A. Sutton (died since war) 

* I never missed a day's duty in four years, two months, ten days. 
Never had furlough, except captured June 15, 1864. — W. S. C. 

1 Wounded. * Captured, June 15, 1864. 

2 Killed. 5 Killed, June 15, 1864. 

3 Captured. e Killed, 1864. 



142 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 



First Lieutenant, J. D. Taylor 
Second Lieutenant, W. C. Gayle 
Third Lieutenant, G. P. Lively ( 
First Sergeant, 
Second Sergeant, 
Third Sergeant, 
Fourth Sergeant, 
First Corporal, 
Second Corporal, 
Third Corporal, 
Fourth Corporal, 



(died since war) 

died since war) 
J. W. Bland 
M. C. Meredith i 
Thomas Bowden ^ 
Rodney Bland ^ 
J. M. Shelton^ 
A. T. Bland* 
Thomas Fary 
Joseph Williams ^ 



Anderson, L. E.^ 
Anderson, R. H.^ 
Booker, B. T.^ 
Bowden, R. E. 
Bowden, Thomas 
Bristow, A. 
Broach, Benjamin 
Brown, George ^ 
Brushwood, L. C* 
Cook, J. R.3 
Cook, Paskal 
Corr, M. W. 
Didlake, John ^ 
Didlake, Joshua ^ 
Didlake, Nathan 
Edwards, Alfred ^ 
Edwards, D. 
Elliott, Alexander 
Elliott, Paskal 3 
Elliott, Powell 3 
Fary, G. T. 
Fary, W. E. 



PRIVATES : 

Fleming, Henry^ 
Gains, B. T. 
Gains, J. A.s 
Gains, R. H.3 
Garrett, Alfred ^ 
Garrett, Gustavus ^ 
Groom, Beverley ^ 
Groom, L. 
Groom, Richard ^ 
Hall, Robert 
Hall, William 
Johnson, John 
Jones, William 
Kemp, Thomas ^ 
Kilingham, Thomas 
Likins, Joseph 
Mason, Thomas 
Mason, Windon - 
Massey, William 
Milby, C. 
Milby, H.8 
Milby, J. T.6 



Milby, L. 
Milby, Malachi 
Morris, A. S. 
Moss, George 
Pierce, Phw.^ 
Riley, G. D.3 
Riley, J. L.6 
Riley, J. T.« 
Roane, E. N. 
Roane, L. M.^ 
Roane, Richard 
Russell, W. H. 
Shelton, James 
Skates, A.9 
Walcott, A. J.3 
Ware, Gustave ^ 
Ware, J. T. 
Ware, James ^ 
Williams, R. 
Wood, T. 
Yarrington, E.^" 
Yarrington, T. 



1864. 



^ Killed at Petersburg, June 17, 
- Killed at Osborne Turnpike. 
3 Died since the war. 
* Died at Chaffin's Farm, 1862. 
5 Killed June 15, 1864. 
® Died in prison. 
"^ Killed at Petersburg, on picket. 
® Died at home during war. 
® Killed near Five Forks. 
10 Killed, battle of the Crater, July 30, 1864. 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 143 



COMPANY I, TWENTY-SIXTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY 
[By Captain Josephus Pollard.] 



Captain, 

First Lieutenant, 
Second Lieutenant, 
Third Lieutenant, 
First Sergeant, 
Second Sergeant, 
Third Sergeant, 
Fourth Sergeant, 
Fifth Sergeant, 



J. W. Smith 
S. P. Latane 
A. C. Walker 
A. F. Fleet 
Josephus L. Pollard 
George L. Owens 
Richard Jeffries 
Griffin Longest 
Bernard Eubank 



Alexander, Harvey 
Allen, Joseph 
Atkins, Thomas 
Baldwin, W. B. 
Ball, G. W. 
Ball, Harry 
Ball, James 
Bradley, George 
Chilton, C. D. 
Clark, Howard 
Cooke, Carr 
Cooke, Claiborne 
Cooke, Henry 
Cooke, Joseph 
Cooke, Thomas 
Elliott, W. I. 
Gatewood, W. H. 
Graves, D. T. 
Harper, Mac 
Harper, W. 
Hutchison, Thomas 
Longest, Howard 
Longest, I. T. 
Longest, John 
Longest, Younger 



PRIVATES : 

Loven, W. L. 
Lumpkin, W. H. 

Martin, 

Martin, C. D. 
Martin, C. H. 
Martin, Howard 
Minor, Philip 
Minor, Robert 
Mitchell, William 
Montague, W. V. 
Mundy, L. G. 
Mundy, William 
Owens, B. H. 
Owens, R. D. 
Owens, W. G. 
Parker, Elijah 
Prince, Baylor 
Prince, James 
Reed, Edmund 
Reed, I. W. 
Reed, Richard 
Rouse, T. B. 
Rouse, Tazwell A. 
Rowe, E. 
Sale, A. J. 



Schools, R. B. 
Schools, T. A. 
Schools, Thomas 
Schools, W. G. 
Simpkins, I. F. 
Simpkins, Lawrence 
Skelton, Granville 
Skelton, L H. 
Skelton, James 
Skelton, W. 
Smither, L. R. 
Stouse, Richard 
Trice, George H. 
Trice, James W. 
Trice, Jno. F. 
Trice, P. P. 
Verlander, Jno. L. 
Verlander, Mordecai 
Watkins, Edward 
Watkins, Hugh 
Wilson, C. L. 
Wilson, Calvin 
Wilson, Seymour 
Wilson, Thomas H. 



Officers Thirty-fourth Virginia Regiment: Colonel, T. F. Goode; 
Lieutenant-Colonel, Harrison; Major, J. R. Bagby. 



144 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

COMPANY K, THIRTY-FOURTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 

[By Dr. John Bagby, O. S.] 

Captain, A. F. Bagby (wounded on retreat from Petersburg) 

First Lieutenant, J. Ryland (wounded, June 17, 1864, at Petersburg; 

captured, October 28, 1864) 
Second Lieutenant, William T. Haynes (discharged, March 13, 1865, to 

join Mosby) 
Third Lieutenant, B. H. Walker (killed, December 18, 1864) 

First Sergeant, Jno. Bagby (wounded, March 31, 1865, near Five Forks) 
Second Sergeant, Jno. W. Ryland (wounded at Seven Pines, May 31, 

1862) 
Third Sergeant, E. F. Acree (promoted to Color Sergeant) 
Fourth Sergeant, T. C. Segar (killed, June 17, 1864) 
Fifth Sergeant, J. L. Cosby (wounded, December 7, 1864) 

Corporals: B. F. Cooke, A. V. Daniel (wounded), George W. Did- 
lake (wounded, October 13, 1864), H. T. Lumpkin (died Sep- 
tember 13, 1865) 

PRIVATES: 
Ashley, C. B. 

Bagby E. (killed, July 30, 1864) 
Bagby, Richard 

Bagby, T. (wounded. May 18, 1864; retired, December 8, 1864) 
Berkeley, N. (wounded and died, May 30, 1864) 
Booker, I. D. (wounded, Nov. 2, 1864) 
Booker, J. W. (retired for six months) 
Broocke, W. R. 
Brushwood, I. 
Carlton, Benj. (wounded. May 31, 1862 [at Seven Pines], and May 18, 

1864) 
Carlton, Fountain (died of typhoid fever, 1862) 
Casey, William (wounded, July 24; died, July 25, 1864) 
Cashen, M. 
Chaplin, P. B. 
Coleman, R. L. (captured) 
Cook, G. W. 

Cooke, I. M. (wounded, June 26; died, August 14, 1864) 
Corr, George T. (died of pneumonia, March 12, 1865) 
Crossfield, J. A. (wounded. May 18; died. May 21, 1864) 
Crouch, G. W. (wounded, June 16, 1864) 
Crouch, T. J. 
Davis, J. S. (wounded, March 28, 1865, and died) 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 145 

Deshazo, J. M. 

Didlake, Charles (wounded October i6, 1864 and died) 

Didlake, J. H. 

Didlake, R. S. (wounded, March 28, 1865, and died) 

Drudge, Joseph 

Easley, M. (wounded, Dec. 7; died, Dec. 15, 1864) 

Eubank, J. H. (wounded, March 31, 1865) 

Flournoy, D. (retired, Feb. 21, 1864) 

Fogg, J. U. (wounded, Nov. 26, 1864) 

Gleason, R. H. 

Gleason, W. W. (died, Sept. 8, 1864) 

Graham, S. L. (wounded, Aug. 26, 1864) 

Gresham, J. A. (wounded, July 9, 1864) 

Gresham, J. H. (wounded at Seven Pines; promoted to Sergeant) 

Gresham, R. H. (wounded, July 8, 1864) 

Harper, C. 

Harris, J. (killed, August 13, 1864) 

Harrison, J. B. (discharged) 

Howell, J. C. (captured, June 15, 1864, and died in prison) 

Hundley, J. T. C. (captured, June 15, 1864) 

Hurt, G. H. (captured, June 15, 1864) 

Jones, S. V. (wounded, March 31, 1865) 

Kelley, T. C. 

Kemp, J. 

Kemp, J. B. (killed, July 6, 1864) 

Lumpkin, T. F. (captured, June 15, 1864) 

Lyne, R. A. 

McLelland, B. W. (captured, June 15, 1864) 

Moore, J. S. 

Moore, L. (deserted, December i, 1864) 

Myrick, J. T. (wounded at Seven Pines, May 31, 1862, and retired) 

Nunn, C. R. 

Nunn, J. G. (captured on retreat) 

Nunn, S. S. (captured) 

Parks, J. W. (wounded, July 29; died, December, 31, 1864) 

Patterson, George A. (wounded, November 27, 1864) 

Pendleton, H. C. (wounded, May 18, 1864) 

Perkins, M. C. (wounded, December 13, 1864) 

Phillips, George (wounded, March 31, 1864) 

Porter, C. W. 

Powers, J. F. (killed, September 11, 1864) 

Pynes, J. A. 

Pynes, W. M. (wounded. May 18, 1864) 

Reed, J. R. (wounded) 

Ryland, N. (wounded. May 20, 1864) 



146 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

Ryland, S. (wounded, July, 1864; was in the last of fight at Appomat- 
tox, April 9, 1865) 
Sale, B. P. 
Sale, J. C. 

Sanford, H. (wounded) 
Scott, B. S. (wounded, May 18, 1864) 
Scott, T. W. (wounded, June 16, 1864) 

Segar, F. V. (received seven wounds at Seven Pines, May 31, 1862) 
Segar, H. G. (wounded, May i8, 1864) 
Sil\ erthornes, I. C. (wounded) 
Smith, L. R. 

Smith, W. R. (died, August 20, 1864) 
Spencer, W. M. (died, August 2, 1864) 

Temple, W. (made corporal September 16, 1864, and captured) 
Terry, J. H. 
Terry, S. 

Thornton, F. (wounded, July 30, 1864) 
Thweatt, W. G. (wounded. May 18, 1864) 
Tillage, W. J. (deserted) 
Turner, E. (died of pneumonia) 
Turner, L. (transferred, August 8, 1864) 
Vaughan, W. H. (wounded, August 3, 1864) 
Walker, J. W. 

Walker, T. N. (made corporal, September 16, 1864) 
Walker, W. H. 
Walton, J. W. 

Walton, Z. (wounded. May 18; died, June 7, 1864) 
Wessels, J. T. 

Willroy, J. W. (transferred, December 15, 1864, to Mosby's Battery) 
Wiltshire, J. M. 
Wise, J. H. 
Wright, J. F. 
Young, H. H. 
Young, J. M. 

In addition to these we have to report a number of cavalry companies, 
as follows: 

ROSTER OF COMPANY E, FIFTH VIRGINIA CAVALRY. 

CAPTAINS : 

Marius P. Todd, Campbell Fox, Richard Hoard, William C. Nunn 

LIEUTENANTS : 

W. C. Nunn, W. S. Dicks, William Hoskins, William P. Bohanan, 

Robert B. Hart 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 147 

SERGEANTS : 
Campbell Fox, Robert B. Hart, H. K. Evans 



Acree, Alexander 
Albright, Mathias 
Blake, Cisero 
Blake, Llewelyn 
Bland, B. F. 
Bland, Joel 
Bray, Joel 
Bray, James '• 
Bristow, Andrew 
Brooks, William G. 
Bourno, Theo. 
Bourno, Thomas 
Butler, Flemming 
Buckner, John 
Bulsman, Leroy 
Burch, William R. 
Burton, Robert 
Brown, Hyte (Hite) 
Callis, James 
Cardwell, William 
Carlton, Granvil 
Carlton, Isaac 
Carlton, Leroy 
Catlet, Bradly 
Cauthorn, Ira B. 
Clark, Temple 
Clayton, Enoch ^ 
Cloudis, E. C. 
Collins, George A. 
Cook, Fountain i 
Cook, Monroe - 
Cook, William 
Crittendon, George D. 
Daniel, George 
Daniel, Robert 
Davis, Robert ^ 



PRIVATES : 

Davis, Stage 
Dew, Benjamin 
Dew, William 
Dudley, Thomas ^ 
Eastwood, A. W. 
Eubank, J. C. 
Fauntleroy, Garnet ^ 
Fleet, Jno. A. 
Folliard, Jno. P. 
Garret, Adolphus 
Garret, James W. 
Garret, Robert 
Gibson, James 
Gibson, Philip 
Gregory, Fendal 
Gresham, Charles 
Gwathmey, Alfred 
Gwathmey, Archie 
Gwathmey, Charles 
Gwathmey, Llewelyn 
Harwood, Archie 
Hobday, Charles E. 
Howlet, John 
Hutchinson, Paine 
Johnson, James 
Kemp, Thomas 
Lane, Oscar 
Lane, Rucker 
Lipscomb, E. P. 
Machen, Thomas 
Machen, William 
Marchant, " Wash " 
Martin, George 
Martin, William^ 
Minter, J. W. 
Mitchell, John 



Monghaw, James 
Muire, Marcus A. 
Muso, W. S.— " Buck " 
Oliver, Frank ^ 
Purcell, J. H. 
Revere, Peter 
Revere, Thomas 
Richardson, J. — 
"Pungy" 

Richardson, Jas. H.* 
Richardson, Thos. 
Richardson, W. T. 
Roane, William E. 
Rowe, James 
Rowe, Laurence 
Rowe, Thomas 
Saunders, L. A. 
Savage, Thomas K. 
Skelton, Philip 
Smith, Lewis A. 
Smith, Richard 
Sorrel, Hiraus 
South, Robert 
Stone, Andrew 
Turpin, Archie 
Turpin, " Jack " 
Tyler, Thomas 
Walden, Frank 
Walker, Melvin 
Walker, Watson 
Watkins, Charles 
Watkins, "Clayborn" 5 
Watkins, J. Polk 
Watkins, Townley 
Wayn, Joseph ^ 
White, William H. 



1 Killed. 2 Disabled. 

^ I think that was his name, 
hair and florid complexion. 



3 Deserted. * Died in prison. 

He was an up-county man, with light 



148 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

We are unable to give Rosters of two other cavalry companies made 
up largely from King and Queen, to wit, Capt. Allen's and Capt. 
Magruder's. 

COUNTERSIGNS 

Some persons will be interested in the following daily 
countersigns given out by officer of day on dates men- 
tioned : 

At Gloucester Point, 1862: January 4th, Davis; 
8th, McLaws; loth, Richmond; 20th, Chericoke; 23d, 
Selma; 26th, Yorktown; 29th, Hampton; February 8th, 
Sumter; i6th, Charleston; 24th, Maryland; March 
6th, Davis; May ist, Asia; 15th, Portsmouth; 25th, 
Fairfax; June 5th, Ceylon; 15th, Morgan; 25th, Glou- 
cester; 28th, Damascus; August 22d, Areola; Septem- 
ber 2d, Forest; 12th, London; 24th, Vandome; 28th, 
Leesburg; October 4th, Natchez; 5th, Egypt; 8th, Lee; 
nth, Rhodes; 13th, Leesburg; 23d, Cadiz; 29th, Page; 
November 4th, Kinston; 12th, Fayette; 19th, Tyler; 
25th, Centreville; 30th, New Orleans; December 3d, 
Virginia; 8th, Phillippi; 12th, Abingdon; i6th, Mis- 
souri; 20th, Shelby; 25th, Mobile; 28th, Charlotte; 
1863, January 2d, Augusta; 6th, Raleigh; 12th, Macon; 
1 8th, Monroe; 23d, Vandome; 28th, Johnston; Febru- 
ary 2d, Kinston; 8th, Keokuk; 15th, Grafton; i8th, 
Pekin; 24th, Paris; March 2d, Preston; 8th, Charles- 
ton; 15th, Augusta; 21st, Vance; 27th, Bragg; April 2d, 
France; 13th, Quincy. 

At Diascon Bridge, 1863: April 20th, Wise; 30th, 
Virginia; May 5th, Heath; 7th, Acoquan; 13th, 
England; 20th, Pekin; 25th, Egypt; 30th, China; 
June 5th, Ney; loth, Merida; 15th, Nestor; 
2ist, Eipley; 25th, Pocotaligo; July 2d, Cairo; 7th, 
Dover; 13th, Hagerstown; 20th, Generic; 27th, Ra- 
leigh; August 3d, Goshen; nth, Winton; i6th, Nash- 
ville; 20th, Braxton; 24th, Bedford; 28th, Gauley; 
September 7th, South; i6th, Vicksburg; 29th, Mur- 
freesboro; October 8th, Mississippi; 15th, Johnston, 
etc., etc. 



CHAPTER X 

WAR RECORDS, LETTERS, AND DIARIES 
(Edited by Senator John W. Daniel.) 

Captain A. F. Bagby's brief memoir of his cousin, 
Major John R. Bagby, and his account of the company 
in command of which he succeeded his cousin, is the 
first historical sketch I have seen of this gallant major 
and his gallant command; and I hope that Captain 
Bagby's example will be followed by others in bringing 
to notice the services of other organizations which have 
not been duly noticed in our histories and essays. 

KING AND QUEEN ARTILLERY COMPANY 

Captain Bagby's Account of Its Work at Battle of Seven Pines- 
Marched in Mud and Water — Official Records Show the Good 
Work of Men of King and Queen. 

" The King and Queen Artillery " is not named as 
such in the general orders of the war records. We find, 
however, Bagby's Company, Fourth Artillery, men- 
tioned, and there are several official recognitions of its 
valiant and efficient service. There is no doubt what- 
ever that " The King and Queen Artillery " company is 
the organization referred to. 

" Bagby's Company, Virginia Volunteers, serving 
as heavy artillery," is designated as part of the com- 
mand of Colonel C. A. Crump, under Major General 
John B. Magruder, at Gloucester Point. — War Rec- 
ords, Series I., Vol. IX., p. 37. 

The report of Captain John R. Bagby, Fourth Vir- 
ginia Battalion, of the operations of that organization 
at Seven Pines, May 31st and June ist, 1862, appears 
in Series I., Vol. II. (first part) of the War Records, 
at page 968, where Captain Bagby recites that " the 
battalion, without any regular organization, having 
been together but a few days before they were ordered 
into battle, and having no opportunity to acquaint them- 

149 



150 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

selves with infantry drill, with the exception of Captain 
White's company, a temporary organization was ef- 
fected, without authority, by the election of Captain 
C. C. Otey as lieutenant colonel and Captain John R. 
Bagby as major." 

In the battle of Seven Pines the Fourth Battalion 
lost in killed and wounded six (6) commissioned offi- 
cers and eighty (80) enlisted men; and played a worthy 
part in the action, serving alternately as infantry, artil- 
lery, and infantry again. Captain Bagby says in his 
report: 

"On the morning of May 31st, 1862, after a fa- 
tiguing march through mud and water of several miles, 
we were formed in line of battle on the right of the Wil- 
liamsburg Road. From thence we passed through the 
woods to an opening in front of the enemy's intrench- 
ments on Barker's farm. We were then ordered to 
charge the enemy through some felled trees, which we 
did without encountering any serious resistance, and 
reached the enemy's intrenchments in good order, some 
four or five of the battalion being wounded. At this 
juncture one of the companies (Captain Bagby's) was 
ordered to take charge of three pieces of artillery left 
by the retreating foe. This duty was discharged, firing 
into two regiments of Yankees forming to attack us, 
with considerable effect. Also a portion of Captain 
Montague's company was detailed to assist in Captain 
Carter's battery, many of his cannoneers having been 
disabled. The battalion was then ordered forward. 
Captain Bagby's company again taking its position in 
the battalion, and ordered to charge the enemy in am- 
bush among felled trees on the right of Barker's house. 
We passed through the enemy's tents, wheeled to the 
right, and upon reaching the edge of the felled trees 
threw ourselves on the ground and fired upon the enemy 
whenever they showed themselves. After being in this 
position some fifteen or twenty minutes, some officer in 
our front ordered his regiment to retire, and when they 
reached our position Captain Otey (acting lieutenant- 
colonel) gave a similar order; when we retired through 




UAHUGRENS CORNER 
At which Colonel Dahlgren fell. 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 151 

the enemy's tents, and about half of the battalion 
stopped at the intrenchments; the balance retreated far- 
ther. The portion of the command that stopped at the 
intrenchments remained there until after dark, when 
they were ordered to the rear and bivouacked for the 
night. They remained in this position during the next 
day."— War Records, Series I., Vol. II., Part I., pp. 
968-9. 

Brigadier General R. E. Rhodes, in his report of the 
battle of Seven Pines, speaks of Captain C. C. Otey of 
the heavy-artillery battalion, as one of those who had 
been conspicuous for their gallantry and efficiency, and 
who fell while pushing forward with their men in the 
thickest of the fight. And he mentions also " the gal- 
lantry and coolness " of Captains Bagby and White 
and Lieutenant Yeatman of the heavy-artillery battal- 
ion. General Rhodes also notices the conduct of the 
King William Artillery, which was commanded by Cap- 
tain (afterwards Colonel) T. H. Carter, as "equaled 
by no one in the history' of the war for daring, coolness, 
and efficiency." With General Rhodes's report is a 
statement showing that three officers and thirteen men 
were killed and three officers and sixty-four men 
wounded in the heavy-artillery battalion, of which the 
King and Queen Artillery was a part. (See War Rec- 
ords, Series I., Vol. II., Part I., pp. 975-6-) Colonel 
C. C. Pegues's Fifth Alabama Regiment speaks highly 
of the artillery " under the management of Captain 
Bagby," and of the Fourth Virginia Battalion, which 
did severe execution upon the retiring enerny. 

We find a reference to Captain A. F. Bagby and his 
company, which had become Company K of the Thirty- 
fourth Virginia Regiment, in the report of Major Gen- 
eral Bushrod R. Johnson (War Records, Series I., Vol. 
XL., Part I., p. 792). This report recites the events 
of the action of Saturday, the 30th of July, 1864. On 
that day the mine was exploded under the Confederate 
works near Petersburg, the enemy rushed into the breach, 
and there was a heavy engagement, known as the battle 
of the Crater, in which the losses of Johnson's division, 



152 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

— killed, wounded, and missing, — were 922. And it 
appears that some of the companies of the Thirty- 
fourth Virginia Infantry, under Colonel J. Thomas 
Goode, proved very handy in taking charge of artillery 
pieces, which otherwise would have been unmanned. 
General Johnson refers to one of these companies, under 
Captain Samuel D. Preston, and then says : " It is 
proper here to state that Captain Preston was wounded 
and Edward Bagby, aid-de-camp to Colonel Goode, 
commanding the brigade, was killed whilst serving its 
gun (a gun of Davidson's Battery), and that then Cap- 
tain A. F. Bagby, of Company K, Thirty-fourth Vir- 
ginia Regiment, took charge of it, and served it with 
fine effect until near the close of the action." 

The Virginia Heavy Artillery has had but scant at- 
tention, and any communication of facts respecting it 
would be acceptable. 

MAJOR JOHN R. BAGBY 
Captain of King and Queen Artillery 

Major John Robert Bagby was born November 13th, 
1826, near Stevensville Post Office, King and Queen 
County, Virginia. His father was John Bagby, of 
Scotch descent, and a soldier in the War of 18 12. He 
was a graduate of the Columbian College at Washing- 
ton, D. C, taking a high stand in his class. For many 
years he very successfully conducted a mercantile busi- 
ness at his native place. He was for several terms 
elected magistrate in his county, and was made colonel 
of militia previous to the Civil War. 

At the breaking-out of the war he raised a volunteer 
company known as the King and Queen Artillery, and 
afterwards as Company K, Thirty-fourth Virginia In- 
fantry, which company he commanded until 1862, when 
he was made major of the above-mentioned regiment. 
He was conspicuous in the battle of Seven Pines, hav- 
ing his horse killed under him, and in several fights was 
known to kill one of his foes with his own pistol or gun. 
He was wounded around Petersburg in the spring of 
1865 ; from which he did not recover for many months. 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 153 

Major Bagby died March 26th, 1890, highly es- 
teemed by all who knew him. In fact, no man ever lived 
in his county more loved and honored than he was, as 
was evidenced at the unveiling of his portrait, which 
now adorns the walls of the Courthouse of his native 
county. 

THE KING AND QUEEN ARTILLERY 

This company was organized at King and Queen 
Courthouse about the ist of May, 1861, by the election 
of John R. Bagby, captain; Josiah Ryland, Jr., first 
lieutenant; A. F. Bagby, second lieutenant; and Josiah 
Ryland, Sr., third lieutenant; and was mustered into the 
Confederate service at West Point, Virginia, May 29th, 
1 86 1. The company was called King and Queen Ar- 
tillery, and expected to be supplied with light guns, but 
being unable to procure them, was placed in charge of 
the heavy battery at West Point. It remained there 
four weeks, when ordered to Gloucester Point and put 
in charge of a heavy battery at that place. It was here 
that the company was subjected to its first fire from the 
enemy, and had the honor and distinction of sinking the 
first and only Yankee boat ever sunk in York River, so 
far as the writer knows. The company remained at 
Gloucester Point until the evacuation of Yorktown, 
when it was divided into two sections, one in command 
of J. R. Bagby, with two small cannon, and the other 
with muskets, under Lieutenant Bagby. The company 
met General Johnson's army below Richmond, and was 
hastily organized, with other companies of heavy artil- 
lery, into what was known as the Fourth Virginia Heavy 
Artillery, with Captain C. C. Otey as lieutenant-colonel, 
and J. R. Bagby as major. With this organization the 
company went into the battle of Seven Pines, carrying 
sixty-five men and leaving twenty-six. The battalion did 
effective work in this battle, capturing a battery from 
the enemy, which Bagby's company soon turned on 
them with telling effect. (See Official Records of Union 
and Confederate Armies, Vol. XL, pp. 968, 972, 973, 
975, 978.) After this fight the corppany was placed in 
charge of heavy guns below Chaffin's Bluff. A. F. 



154 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

Bagby was made captain, First Lieutenant Josiah Ry- 
land having joined Mosby's command. Josiah Ryland, 
Sr., was made first lieutenant, and Benjamin H. Walker, 
third lieutenant. The company remained at Chaffin's 
Bluff until the spring of 1863, when it was attached to 
the Thirty-fourth Virginia Infantry, Wise's Brigade, 
and designated as Company K of that regiment, and 
sent to South Carolina, near Charleston. It remained 
there until Petersburg was threatened in 1864, around 
which place the brigade was ordered, and where it re- 
mained until the evacuation. 

The company was under almost constant fire from 
the time it reached the vicinity of Petersburg until the 
surrender at Appomattox, gaining special distinction at 
the battle of the Crater. (See Official Records, Vol. 
XL., p. 792.) It was called on to take charge of one 
of our own batteries near the Crater, where at least four 
detachments of men had been killed or driven away, 
owing to the exposed position. The guns were so suc- 
cessfully worked that much damage was done the enemy 
by the incessant rain of shot and shell. 

The company surrendered eighteen men at Appo- 
mattox, in command of Sergeant John W. Ryland, all 
the commissioned officers having been previously 
killed, captured, or wounded. Captain Bagby was 
wounded at Sailor's Creek, and taken prisoner. Lieu- 
tenant Josiah Ryland, Sr., was captured near Peters- 
burg; Lieutenant W. F. Haynes resigned his commis- 
sion the March previous on account of ill-health, and 
Lieutenant B. H. Walker was killed near Petersburg. 

The company was composed of unusually good ma- 
terial, having in it some of the best men in the county, 
and numbered from first to last one hundred and sixty- 
five men, about one-half of whom were killed or 
wounded. 

A. F. BAGBY 

Late Captain of Company K, Thirty-fourth Virginia Infantry 
(From a Soldier's Diary.) 

The author is fortunate in being able to give here 
extracts from a diary kept in excellent form by an old 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 155 

and prominent gentleman, who was an almost life-long 
resident of the county. It is entirely reliable : 

"May 24, i860. — Election to-day of county officers, 
with the result following: Justices, Thos. Haynes, 
J. R. Bagby, Thos. Latane, E. S. Acree. State Atty. 
J. M. Jeffries [afterwards Judge]. 

"July sth, Court day. — An address by Major B. B. 
Douglass. Capt. Haynes fell on the Courthouse green 
with apoplexy and died. He was much loved, having 
-iegun life as a school-teacher. Heard to-night of death 
of Wm. F. Pendleton, of King and Queen, in Wash- 
ington City. He had lived an eventful life, belonged 
to the army and to the State Council; a vain man, as- 
suming great influence in affairs of State and nation, 
claimed to know all the celebrities, and could entertain 
one by the hour. Clay and Webster frequently con- 
sulted him. 

"Sat., May 4, 1 861. —Col. J. R. Bagby, who re- 
turned to Baltimore last Tuesday to look after his goods, 
got back yesterday. He went from Richmond to Bal- 
timore on steamer Geo. Peabody. She was stopped at 
Old Point by an officer from Cumberland, but finally 
allowed to proceed. Returned on steamer Adelaide, but 
she was compelled to drop her passengers at Pt. He 
managed to get to Norfolk, thence to Richmond, and 
home. His goods were shipped by a Baltimore steamer, 
and got there safely. 

" May 7, Regimental Muster. — Large attendance, 2 
Co.'s organized and officers elected. May 10, the old 
men organized a Home Guard. Col. John Pollard, 
Capt., T. N. Fogg and J. N. Gresham, Lts. [Col. P. 
afterwards declined; Rev. R. H. Bagby, D. D., was 
made Capt. and served through war.] 

"May 23, 1 86 1. — Vote taken on ratifying ordinance 
of Secession. Not a negative vote in the county. 

"May 24. — Home Guard met and fully organized. 
I am in the squad of J. N. Gresham, R. H. and A. 
Bagby, etc. Troops rapidly coming into Richmond. 

" May 25. — Union troops occupied Alexandria. Our 
army at Manassas, 15 miles away. Col. Ellsworth 
killed by Jackson. 



156 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

'' May 26. — Dr. Sampson of Washington came down 
to help ordain J. Pollard, but as certain parties objected 
to his acting, he passed on to Richmond. 

"May 27. — A Military Company organized and 
drilled. Many present. 

" May 29. — Everyone in the neighborhood helping 
to fix up soldiers for the war, and everyone present to 
say good-bye. Refreshments served at the School 
House, Stevensville, also religious services by Revs. 
Land and Diggs. 

" May 30. — Company marched to Mantapike to take 
ship, the writer with them. Band struck up Dixie as 
the schooner moved off. Capt., J. R. Bagby; ist. 
Lieut., Josiah Ryland, Jr.; 2d Lieut., A. F. Bagby; 3d, 
J. Ryland, Sr.; 4th, Benj. Walker; ist Sergt., W. T. 
Haynes, etc." [A roster of this company will be found 
in its place.] " They numbered 84 in all. Reached 
West Point, and it was amusing to see the boys make 
first attempt to cook supper. We found at West Point 
the Taylor Grays, New Kent artillery and infantry; 
Bagby's company changed to infantry. 

^^ June 5. — Went down to Pt. and found Co. on 
parade. Quite a number of men have been sick, caused, 
I think, by water. 

^^ June 10. — Went to C. H. to witness departure of 
the Carlton Store Rifle Co.— Capt. N. B. Street, J. R. 
Howser, J. W. Hundley, and Jas. Hart, Lts. 

^^ June 12.^ — Hear that a battle has been fought at 
Bethel Ch., York Co., some 150 Yankees killed. Our 
loss, one killed, five or six wounded. 

^^ July 23. — Papers bring particulars of a great and 
glorious battle near Manassas — Federals completely 
routed by Genls. Beauregard & Johnston. 

"Off. 23. — Prices: Coffee 30c, sugar 15 and 20c, 
powder $4 per lb., sole leather 75 and 80c. 

" Oct. 24. — Housewives getting yarn for carpets and 
dresses for servants and children. 

" Nov. 20. — Richmond City crowded. Men from 
every Southern State. 

^^ Dec. 25. — Mrs. T. W. L. Fauntleroy and Wm. 
H. Courtney died. No gaieties this Christmas. 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 157 

''March 7, 1862. — Forts Henry and Donelson in 
Tenn. have been captured by the Yankees. 

''March 11. — News of naval fight in Hampton 
Roads, between ironclad Virginia and a fleet of U. S. 
Ships. The ironclad acquitted herself with great 
credit. 

"March 21. — In Richmond. Salt $10 per bushel, 
Bacon 25c, brown sugar 25c, sole leather 90c to $1. 
Visited Confederate Senate but was not favorably im- 
pressed. They did not seem to be sensible of their 
responsibilities, disputing about their pay. Stonewall 
Jackson on the scene. 

" April 3. — A meeting of our people at the Court 
House, and it was unanimously resolved under no cir- 
cumstances to take the oath to the U. S. Government. 

" April 8. — At Gloucester Point, spent night at 
Hickory Fork. 

"April 10. — Went over to Yorktown. Visited Fort 
Magruder. While leaning over parapet, heard the 
whistle of the first Yankee bullet. Presently they were 
coming too fast to be pleasant. A soldier said: ' Gentle- 
men, you had better not expose yourselves; a man has 
just been killed down the line.' Witnessed for the 
first time the firing of a cannon, a 12-lb. rifled gun fired 
by Capt. T. J. Page; directed at a battery being erected 
by Yankees some two miles away. Shell did not reach 
battery. In a short time, walking down the line \ye 
saw the dead soldier, shot in the neck; struck the carotid 
artery, — a sad, solemn sight. Enemy had occupied a 
peach orchard some five or six hundred yards from our 
line — a heavy chestnut railed fence in front. I could 
distinctly see them run under cover and presently fire 
at our men. 

"Apr. II. — Returned to Yorktown with Josiah and 
Chas. Ryland and C. Brown of Mathews. Capt. Car- 
ter's Art Co. had arrived from King Wm. Met Lieut. 
Robt. Ryland and others. Enemy's sharpshooters con- 
cealed in peach orchard annoying, two regiments drove 
them out, and the trees were cut down and defences 
burned. 

"Apr. 13. — Dined with Capt. Councill's mess to-day. 



158 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

Particulars of battle of Shiloh. In evening attended a 
very pleasant prayer meeting in Capt. Bagby's tent. 

''Apr. 14.— Visited K. & Q. Cav. Met Mrs. Dix, 
Archy Harwood, Tom. Tyler, Watson, Walker, T. R. 
Gresham, and Capt. Todd. Steamers and gunboats be- 
low throwing shells. Presently came in range of our 
battery; Capt. Page gave them a shot from a rifle gun. 
One of their shells fell in parade field and I got a piece 
of It. 

"Apr. 15. — Heard the boom of a cannon and whis- 
tling of shell, another and then another, — continued all 
day. 

" Apr. 16. — Yankees still shelling all night last night. 
Returned home. 

^'' May 3. — Orders to evacuate Yorktown and 
Gloucester Pt. 

''''May 5. — Mr. John Bagby and I sent wagon to 
help troops along with provisions — found them camped 
this side Mill at C. H. The soldiers seemed very grate- 
ful. They left G. P. Sat. night. 

" May 6. — Met advance of column at Mantapike 
swamp— some came by Mattapony, some on River 
road, — met them again at St. Stephen's. 

" May 7. — Alarm that Yankee gunboats were at 
C. H. and Mantapike. Went down the road towards 
M. and saw steamer with flag as she turned down river. 
If a Yankee soldier should reach my house sick, I should 
feel bound to give him shelter and relieve his wants. 

" ]une 5. — News of battle Seven Pines. 

""June 7. — On Sat., 31st May, our Stevensville Co., 
being part of a battalion, — Col. Otey, J. R. Bagby, 
Maj., — Genl. Rhodes's brigade, were marched out, as 
they supposed, to do picket duty. Marching two miles, 
they were ordered to strip and prepare for battle. 
About 12 o'clock came upon Yankee outpost and drove 
it in. Emerging into a field of nearly one mile, they 
faced an intrenchment with a triangular redoubt, a 
deep ditch in front and 6 field pieces mounted. Our 
company, commanded by 2d Lt. Jos. Ryland (Alex- 
ander Bagby sick), charged in splendid style, waded the 
ditch waist-deep in water, drove the enemy from his 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 159 

guns, and turned them upon him. Soon they charged 
the enemy a second time in a thick wood. They re- 
tired presently to intrenchments and held them. The 
Co. acted most nobly. Capt. B. (now Major) mounted 
the breastworks, and taking off his hat waved his men 
on. He lost five men killed on the field and two dead 
since; Saml. Hoomes, Jas. Courtney, Bacon, Cornelius 
Pines, Jas. Butter, John Chilton, R. C. Hart, Kelly, 
Tom. Myrick, Valvin Legar, B. P. Sale, Benoni Carl- 
ton (severely wounded), Wm. H. Meyer (died after), 
Bolivar Lumpkin, J. W. Ryland, McLellan, G. Prince, 
Shallen Sale, J. W. Walton, John Wilroy, John H. 
Gresham, Sam Dollins, John Crossfield, and J. L. 
Cosby, wounded. 

Col. Otey was killed. Capt. Bagby's horse killed 
under him. They captured a large amount of stores, 
two hundred tents, wagons, small arms, 28 or 30 can- 
nons, 800 prisoners, among them a wagon loaded with 
lemons. Yankees afterwards claimed a glorious vic- 
tory. 

''June II. — Very cool and cloudy — reinforcements 
going up constantly to McClellan. 

^^June 18. — Hear of a cavalry reconnoissance in rear 
of McClellan by Genl. Stuart; came round Hanover C. 
H., encountered enemy near Old Church, killed a num- 
ber, destroyed great deal of stores, captured 175 prison- 
ers and lost only one man killed, the gallant Capt. 
Wm. Latane. Returning they swam the Chickahominy 
and constructed a rude bridge for heavy guns. News 
comes too of splendid victories by Jackson in Valley. 
A few negroes escaped to the enemy. Prices: Sugar 
65c, coffee $2, gaiter shoes $12, boots $30, chickens $1 
to $1.50, eggs $1. Cabbage 75c, salt 25 to 50c lb. 
We used parched corn, wheat, rye, and sweet potatoes 
for coffee. 

" June 30. — Jackson is certainly in rear of Mc- 
Clellan, while Genl. Lee presses him back. Jackson has 
been at White House. 

^^ July I. — Tuesday. About 10 o'clock heavy firing 
to about 9. It was awful, even to listen to. 

^^ July 3. — Crossed at Walkerton. Went to Mrs. 



160 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

Sutton's and crossed Pamunkey en route to Richmond. — 
Dr. G. W. Pollard's at night near Hanover Town. 
Sam Roane has been killed, Friday evening. He was 
a very fine man." 

We subjoin extracts from diary of private W. S. 
Courtney of Company G, 26th Regt., and frorrftet^ 
ters written by him during the w.ari "" -— ' 

" T again head my letter in old Virginia, having 
been in the State one week to-morrow. When I got to 
Hick's Ford, Greenville County, the Yankees took pos- 
session of the railroad between us and Petersburg so 
that the train could go no further. We had to guard 
the bridge there and sent Captain Street's and nine 
other companies of the 59th Virginia to guard the 
bridge over Nottoway. The Yankees attacked them 
with a great force, and a fierce engagement succeeded, 
leaving us In possession of the field. Our loss was one 
killed, six wounded and five taken prisoners. Ben 
Boughton was killed and Wm. Smither wounded. At 
this writing I am about four miles from Petersburg. T 
am tolerably well clad for a soldier. There is no chance 
of my getting home before the Yankees are cleaned 
up. As I do not desire to say anything about our move- 
ments, I must close." 

The next is dated Elmira, N. Y. : " Dear mother, 
I received your letter of 24th Aug. I am a prisoner 
of war, I am very well. We have lost two of our boys 
since we came here — James Cardwell and Bob Seward. 
Frank Marshall was killed and so was John Seward. 
Wm. Jackson is here, and Wm. Carlton. Tell Mrs. 
Guthrie Ben Is here. I have gotten a suit of clothes 
since I came here. Would like very much to hear from 
the Co., and hope I shall be with them again. — W. 
S. C." 

Extracts from a diary by the same soldier, beginning 
September 14, 1863, and running to July 11;, 1865: 

*' We left Burton's Farm near Petersburg for Charles- 
ton, S. C, Sept. 14th. Got to Petersburg same day, 
left 15th for Weldon, and that evening left for Wil- 
mington. Reached Wilmington on i6th; on guard that 
day. 17th passed Florence, S. C, and reached Charles- 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 161 

ton 1 8th, camped two miles from the city. There we 
stayed until Feb. 9th, 1864, when we left camp for 
John's Island. Had a brush with the enemy there on 
the nth, in which Lieut. A. P. Bird and Geo. W. 
Cardwell were wounded. I was covered up by the ex- 
plosion of a shell. Left Johnson's Island 13th. 23d 
Feby. left camp for Florida and reached Savannah 24th. 
Visited Forts Brown and Bartow. Left Savannah 27th, 
passed through Valdosta, and camped on the Withla- 
cochy River. Got to Madison, Florida, March ist. 
Passed by Lake City on the 2d, Baldwin the 3d, and 
got to Camp Milton same day. Left the 2d of March 
and got to Waldo the 4th; left on the 5th and came 
back to Camp Milton on the same day. April 17th left 
for Charleston, S. C, reached Quitman 21st, passed 
Valdosta and got to Savannah 22d, passed Camp 
Wapoo and got to James Island on the 23d. May 
4th left for Virginia, got to Wilmington 5th, passed 
through Goldsboro and got to Hicksford the 7th, left 
the loth and reached Petersburg nth, spending the 
night in the city. Camped there 12th until the 15th, 
and reached Ware Bottom Church, fighting with the 
enemy, on the 17th. Adolphus Gibson was killed on 
1 6th. Brushes with the enemy on i8th, 19th & 20th 
of May, and on the 2d of June Ed. Tuttle wounded. 
Left Ware Bottom on nth and got to Petersburg same 
day; camped on Jordan's Farm, two miles from town, 
where we had a great fight on 15th June, in which I 
was captured. I was taken to General B. Smith's head- 
quarters, and from there to General Butler's head- 
quarters, and on the i6th was put on a boat, reaching 
Old Point the i8th, and got to Point Lookout on the 
f^th^ 27th July left on a boat and reached New York 
2 8tlK ' Reached Elmira, N. Y., June 29th [1864]. 
Left Elmira for home July nth, 1865, passed through 
Baltimore and got home 15th July, 1865." 

In a letter to the author, dated Little Plymouth, 
April 14, 1903, Mr. Courtney says: "Find enclosed 
the two old army letters. I had promised them to the 
Confederate Museum. I have just read them again, 
and I could not keep back the tears. My heart goes 



162 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

out yet to the Lost Cause, and swells with emotions I 
cannot utter. I feel like I was parting with a dear 
friend. They bring back before me so vividly the days 
that tried my soul." 

An amusing incident under circumstances solemn and 
impressive: In May, 1861, Company K, Capt. Bagby, 
34th Virginia, was drawn up in line, about to start to 
the front — some of them never to see home again. As 
they stood in line on the schoolhouse lot at Stevensville, 
a crowd of friends and relatives were present to say 
good-bye. Among others, a most estimable Christian 
woman passed down the line shaking hands, with a word 
of cheer for each one, while the sternest faces were 
moved and eyes suffused with tears. Presently she 
grasped the hand of a half-witted fellow named B. C, 
and said, " If God be for us, who can be against us? " 
" Nobody but the Yankees, madam," answered the 
soldier. 

DIARY OF CIVIL WAR, BY DR. B. H. W. 
1862 

July 5-6. — After an early breakfast visit Camp of 
26th Va., and from there to the forts of Chaffin's 
Bluff, — seemingly very strong, made of heavy beams 
10x12 inches, and on them nailed oak planks 4 inches 
thick, and then come plates of iron 2 inches thick, and 
the same reversed; shots strike at an acute angle and 
glance over. Also earthworks and rifle pits. Sent for 
to see John H. Gresham, — wounded by a ball in the calf 
of the leg. 

7th. — Visit camp of 55th Va., thence to Mechanics- 
ville, and Ellerson's Mill. Yankee fortifications very 
strong. Our men advanced to attack across a field 
swept by artillery, then down a hill and across a boggy 
meadow in which trees had been felled, then had to 
ascend a hill two hundred yards before reaching in- 
trenchments. This was the scene of the fights of Thurs- 
day and Friday, June 26th and 27th. 

8th. — Met Major Bagby in the road, he being at 
home on furlough, who told me that eleven Yankee 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 163 

cavalry had passed Stevensville going to Walkerton. 
We arranged at once to capture them — I to go by 
Dickie's Bridge and Butler's Tavern, he to follow after 
them to Garnett's mill. I reached Walkerton and found 
several men already there, including Mordecai Cooke, 
eight in all. In half an hour a Yankee lieutenant rode 
up with five men, inquiring for the ferryboat (they 
had come up for the purpose of destroying boats on 
the river) ; but the ferryboat had been taken down the 
river and hid. The Yankees had reported a regiment 
coming on behind them. All at once the lieutenant 
entered at the front door, we being in the counting-room 
in rear. My gun was lying on the counter between us. 
I caught it up and demanded his surrender; he stooped 
under the counter, and suddenly springing up caught 
hold of the gun and we scuffled over it. William 
Turner then came up behind and shot him with a pistol; 
he ran out at the front door and just then Alfred Gwath- 
mey shot him with a load of buckshot. He ran up the 
road towards the mill; we called upon the four Yankees 
remaining to surrender, but they began firing upon us; 
several of them were wounded and one killed, all the 
rest mounted horses and fled. 

Meantime Major Bagby had encountered a squad of 
the enemy at Mantua Gate, killing one; one escaped, 
and the rest were captured. I started to Richmond 
at once to secure help. General Lee gave me an order 
for Colonel Goode to go down with a regiment of 
cavalry. 

14th. — Entering Richmond I had an interview with 
General Lee. I never met a man who more completely 
won my heart, — unaffected and simple, no stiffness or 
bluntness. He said that as soon as he could arrange 
matters he would send us help; that it was the duty of 
every man to be in the army if possible, for we had 
everything to lose. The enemy conducted the war upon 
barbarous principles. In their retreat from Richmond 
they had destroyed everything in their reach, even 
things necessary to their own sick and wounded. So 
much General Lee. 

28th. — Mistress Mary E. Gresham died this morn- 



164 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

ing, leaving three children, one an infant. Her sister, 
Mistress John N. Gresham, took the baby. Mistress B. 
Carlton the oldest, and R. H. Bagby the middle one 
(Andrew). 

Sept. 4th. — Hear to-day that Jackson has got in 
the rear of Pope's army causing immense destruction; 
and when Longstreet came forward and rejoined him 
they inflicted tremendous losses on the Union army. 

13th. — Prices: Coffee $2.00, Salt 35 to 50 cents, 
Boots $35.00 to $40.00, Ladies' Gaiters $12.00 to 
$20.00, Spun Cotton $69.00 per bale. Pine $1.50 to 
$2.00, Calico $1.25 to $1.50, Sugar 75 cents to $1.00, 
Tobacco $1.00 to $2.00, Bacon 50 to 60 cents. 

1 6th. — Twelve soldiers came here this evening to 
stay all night. All belonged to " Holcombe Legion " 
of South Carolina. They are named in honor of Mrs. 
Governor Pickens, who was Lucy Holcombe. I met 
her some years ago at Old Point. 

26th. — Christopher Brown with a drove of cattle and 
sheep stopped here to-day. He is carrying them to 
Ayletts for the Governor. 

27th. — Hear of the death of Dr. Geo. William Pol- 
lard of Ayletts, a most valuable and estimable citizen; 
also James Christian, and Thos, Bagby, a son of Mr. 
Travis Bagby. 

Oct. 3d. — Dr. J. M. Evans arrived here from 
Richmond bringing the body of Mr. Pratt Smith, a 
son of Mr. Frank Smith, of Covington, Ky. He came 
to Virginia at the beginning of the war and joined 
William Christian's company. Mr. Smith was wounded 
in the right side in the battle of Manassas; was removed 
to Warrenton, where he had camp fever. Mason at 
his urgent request went up to Warrenton and brought 
him down to Richmond, hoping to be able to get him 
to Middlesex. He died, however, between Richmond 
and this place. We buried him at Hamstead, the old 
family home in Middlesex. 

8th. — Dick B. and his wife came down from Peters- 
burg bringing us a barrel of sugar worth about $200.00. 

nth. — Some wagons from the lower part of 
Gloucester, belonging to Dick Hoard and loaded with 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 165 

wheat, passed going up to Richmond. Wheat is worth 
there from $3.00 to $4.00 per bushel. 

14th. — x^m hauHng my sugar cane (sorghum) to 
Tom Henley's to be made into molasses. He charges 
one-half for making. He invented a mill with which 
he can make fifteen gallons a day, and if he had more 
boilers could make much more. An ox-cart load makes 
about six gallons, and it is selling at the mill for $3.00 
per gallon. 

15th. — Last night two men from Gloucester brought 
a negro man named Coleman belonging to Mr. John 
Bagby, and a man and his wife belonging to R. H. 
Land. They were trying to get to Yorktown. 

30th. — Mr. William Beckwith, formerly of 
Gloucester, but lately of Florence, Ala., dined here. 
He once belonged to the Fourth Alabama regiment, but 
was discharged on account of ill health; has been to 
Gloucester to visit old friends. Was in the first battle 
of Manassas, in the seven days' fight around Richmond, 
and in second Manassas; his clothes were pierced again 
and again, but he has not received a scratch other- 
wise. 

31st. — Heard of the death of cousin Mary Peachy 
Pollard, wife of Dr. George William Pollard. She 
was a woman of rare accomplishments and great beauty. 
Her health, however, was delicate. Her heart and soul 
and hands have all been engaged in allaying the 
troubles and pains of soldiers. The Yankees have been 
often in her house, but she always maintained her dig- 
nity and independence, demanded protection, and omit- 
ted no occasion to express her devotion to the South. 
She thus greatly helped her husband in saving his prop- 
erty. 

Nov. 4th. — To-day elections are held in New York 
and some eight other States north. Between the Demo- 
crats and Abolitionists at the North is as between the 
Devil and the deep blue sea — that is, one is about as 
bad as the other; for the Democrats even wish to force 
us back into the Union. An effort was made to-day in a 
public meeting to raise money to buy shoes and other 
comforts for our suffering soldiers. Mr. Jos. Ryland 



166 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

led In the effort, and proposed to be one of twenty to 
raise $1000.00 each. There were seven pledges. 

6th. — Last night a gunboat came up to Mantapike 
and lashed to the wharf. Some one going to Rich- 
mond had been stalled on a hill near by, and hearing 
the noise, the captain of the boat thought it prudent 
to take to his heels. They made a most precipitate 
retreat down the river, apparently thinking the enemy 
was upon them. 

loth. — A very heavy frost and considerable ice. Mr. 
Oliver White dines with us to-morrow. 

2 1 St. — Up to Richmond with R. H. B. While here 
I learned that Misses Nancy and Baldwin Hill, daugh- 
ters of the late Baylor Hill, together with Miss Lizzie 
Haynes of this county, daughter of the late Captain 
Haynes, have given themselves most nobly to the work 
of helping sick and wounded soldiers. They deserve a 
monument. Visit camp, return Home to-morrow. The 
President calls for men between the age of thirty-five 
and forty to join the army. There are very few left 
in the county. Congress has exempted magistrates, 
wheelwrights, millers, doctors of five years' practice, 
also clerks, sheriffs, commissioners, and those who have 
charge of twenty negroes. 

22d. — My wife has had woven three hundred and 
sixty yards of cloth of all kinds during the year to 
clothe ourselves and the negroes. I had no Idea that 
so much was required. It becomes now quite a burden. 

Dec. I St. — (Monday.) Yesterday and to-day peo- 
ple with their families were passing on their way to 
Richmond, among them Doctor Walker Jones and 
Richard Hoard. Sold my wheat to Ryland & Carlton 
for $2.00 per bushel. 

2d. — Encountered in the road to-day a drove of 
sixty-three hogs being brought from Mathews County 
and taken to Richmond. This drove will probably 
bring from three thousand to four thousand dollars. 
It Is rumored in the papers that France has proposed 
to England and Russia jointly to offer mediation to 
the U. S. and the Confederate States, but England and 
Russia decline to act. 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 167 

4th, Thursday. — Salt is a scarce article, and much of 
what we have is indifferent. The salt made from 
water in the Chesapeake Bay down in Mathews has 
been tried and keeps meat very well. 

5th. — Confederate bonds bearing 8% irit. are in de- 
mand, and bring a small premium. 

6th. — Called to see my old friend, G. W. Quarles, 
and found him very ill with pneumonia. Poor fellow ! 
he passed away during the night; unfortunately he died 
as he had lived, without preparation. 

7th. — Thermometer down to twenty degrees. 

9th. — Some people getting out. 

loth. — For eighteen months or more now we have 
been holding interdenominational prayer-meetings at 
the various churches around. We had to-day a faith- 
ful and touching exhortation from R. H. B. on the 
great importance of uniting effort with our prayers. 
These meetings are sometimes very interesting and im- 
pressive. 

nth. — Attended to-day the sale of Samuel H. 
Roane's property, which sold at high figures. A yoke 
of oxen brought one hundred and two dollars, spinning 
wheel seven dollars, old ox-cart fifty dollars. 

1 2th. — P. E. B. has lost three children with diph- 
theria. This disease has been common of late. Papers 
say that the enemy are throwing bridges across the 
Rappahannock at Fredericksburg. 

13th. — Rapid firing has been heard to-day northward 
towards Fredericksburg — especially in the afternoon 
and towards night. The distance is perhaps sixty miles. 
The town has suffered very severely, some of the citi- 
zens killed and very many houses struck by balls. We 
anxiously await the result. 

14th. — Reports reach us that the Yankees are ad- 
vancing in large force from Gloucester Point. They 
came as far as Barnes Lawson's, burning his dwelling, 
and then retired. There has been a most remarkable 
appearance of the sky to-night. About nine o'clock a 
light appearance towards the north, and in a short time 
there shot up therefrom white pillars similar to the tail 
of a comet. Each successive one shot up higher and 



168 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

higher until a few reached the meridian. Nearly all 
these appearances were in the north, and continued un- 
til nine o'clock, then disappeared. 

15th. — We thank the Lord for his mercy in giving 
us the victory at Fredericksburg. Oh ! that our people 
might feel a proper degree of humility and thankfulness 
to our Heavenly Father. 

1 6th. — Intended to go up with R. H. B. to General 
Lee's army to carry two hundred and forty pairs of 
socks, one hundred and sixty flannel shirts, thirty com- 
forts and blankets, gloves, etc., contributed by our la- 
dies for the poor fellows in arms. I was too unwell 
to go. Sorry to hear that Generals Cobb and Gregg 
were both killed in the battle. 

i^th. — A deserter from the Union army reports that 
Burnside ordered the attack to be renewed Sunday 
morning, but his leading generals protested and it was 
not done. 

2 1 St. — Thermometer at sunrise was twelve. Two 
soldiers, Lieut. Lee and Mr. Sinclair, of Gloucester 
cavalry, stayed with us last night. 

24th. — Capt. A. B. and my sister Fanny were mar- 
ried at my house to-night. The company was small, 
but pleasant; eight couples of waiters. Company broke 
up at a late hour. 

28th. — My neighbor, Mrs. B. , taking dinner 

with us to-day, reported that some one had broken into 
her house and robbed her to a considerable amount. It 
is probable that there are one or more gangs of negroes 
depredating around. 

29th. — ^Went with a company last night to Mrs. M. 
A. Hart's. While there a negro ran out of her kitchen, 
and refusing to halt when ordered, C. D. shot him 
twice, but not fatally. A party also broke into Major 
B.'s house Saturday night, but did little damage. 

1863 

January ist (Thursday). — At the sale of W. F. P.'s 
estate negroes brought high prices. One valuable man 
(T. H.) was bought by J. M. J. for eight hundred and 
forty dollars. He is fifty-six years old. Heard yester- 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 169 

day that a lady in Essex gave fifty barrels of corn for 
one sack of salt. I myself have just paid forty dollars 
for a sow and nine pigs. 

3d. — Papers report to-day that a very large rnass 
meeting was held in New York in which resolutions 
were passed calling on the government to propose an 
armistice looking to peace. It came to nothing. 

5th. — Reports of successes in Kentucky, but General 
Bragg has retired from Murfreesboro saving captured 
property and prisoners. A monitor was sunk off Hat- 
teras, and other gunboats had to throw their guns over- 
board. 

7th. — Major Bagby at home. 

8th. — A case of smallpox in our neighborhood, and 
patient in a terrible condition, both blind and delirious. 

9th. — Yankees made a raid into King William yes- 
terday and captured some wagons at White House. 

nth. — Collection for Fredericksburg sufferers. 

1 2th. — The Harriet Lane, a Yankee steamer, cap- 
tured in Galveston Bay. 

13th. — Papers report that Democrats at the North 
wish to know on what terms the South will return into 
the Union. The answer was returned, On no terms 
whatever. 

Order in which the States seceded : 

Dec. 20th, i860, South Carolina; 

Jan. 9th, 1 861, Mississippi; 

Jan. nth, 1 86 1, Alabama and Florida; 

Jan. 19th, 1 861, Georgia; 

Jan. 26th, 1 86 1, Louisiana; 

Feb. ist, 1 86 1, Texas; 

April 17th, 1 86 1, Virginia; 

May 6th, 1861, Arkansas; 

May 20th, 1 86 1, North Carolina; 

June 8th, 1861, Tennessee. 

15th. — Heard of the death of Colonel Bartlett Todd, 
of Petersburg, from cancer, aged seventy-five; a man of 
high sense of honor. 

17th. — Board of Examination of conscripts for the 
county met here to-day; quite a number of friends dined 
with us. Thermometer down to eighteen degrees. 



170 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

27th. — Mr. Jno. N. Brown, belonging to the Sussex 
cavalry, has come down to select camping grounds 
for General W. H. F. Lee's brigade; he spends night 
with us. I have subscribed for the Semi-PFeekly En- 
quirer, for which I pay eight dollars. 

29th. — Quite a number of other cases of smallpox 
in the neighborhood. 

30th.— Prices in Richmond: Turkeys $10, Sheep 
$15, Coffee $5 per lb., Sugar $1, Meal $4 per bushel, 
Apples $35 to $45 per bbl.. Butter $1.25 to $1.50 per 
lb., Eggs $1 per doz. 

Feb. ist. — At meeting to-day I enjoyed especially 
the singing of the old hymn " Whilst Thee I seek, pro- 
tecting power." 

2d. — Weather fine, wind N. N. E. 

4th. — General W. H. F. Lee's cavalry brigade is 
stationed near Bestland. 

5th. — I sold a beef In Richmond for two hundred 
and seventy dollars. 

7th. — Heavy frost, ground frozen, and much Ice in 
the road. Persons sick with smallpox are said to be 
in fearful condition; two have already died. One of 
the soldiers who was with us In 1861 was killed in 
the battles around Richmond. While here he com- 
mended himself to us very much. His name was 
E. E. Knight. 

13th. — Paid a visit to-day to General Lee's camp and 
found them located on the road between Miller's and 
Bestland. The roads were In a horrible condition. 

14th. — Six Marylanders belonging to our army spent 
the night with us; names: Forbes, Roby, German, Rid- 
dle, Gorman, Decatur; they were from St. Mary's and 
Charles counties and Baltimore. 

1 6th. — G. P. bought a horse from a soldier for sixty 
dollars, and sold him liquor for forty dollars per gallon. 
The horse Is said to be worth one hundred and fifty 
dollars. The Marylanders who were with us are In 
pursuit of forage, especially fodder; they got some in 
Middlesex. 

17th. — Rumors of French mediation, and dissatis- 
faction reported In Northwestern States. 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 171 

19th. — A poor negro belonging to Mr. Boughton 
near Miller's, having a bad case of smallpox, ran out 
the other night and went two miles up the road before 
he could be caught. He is delirious. 

20th. — The French minister has recommended a 
conference between commissioners from the North and 
South, with a view to settle trouble, but Mr. Seward 
rejected it. 

2 2d. — Snow six or eight inches deep; wind north, 
thermometer twenty-two degrees. 

27th. — Hear of several handsome affairs, among 
them the capture of the Queen of the West and another 
steamer called Indianola. 

March I St, Sunday. — Meetings to-day in accordance 
with President Davis' proclamation, appointing to-day 
for fasting, humiliation, and prayer. 

March 5th, Court day. — A number of persons at 
court; not much business. At least half a dozen wagons 
appeared with blockade goods, and it is reported that 
almost as many pass by every day. 

6th. — Several sales have taken place of household 
goods at high prices. A man told me to-day that he 
had sold a barrel of apple brandy for thirteen hundred 
and fifty dollars. 

8th. — R. S. Ryland and Mr. Golden, of Lee's Ran- 
gers, with us to-night. They are returning from Glou- 
cester Point, hoping to surprise the place, but were dis- 
appointed. There were several gunboats there. 

loth. — An old lady (Mrs. Gresham) told me that 
a bride some years back spun and wove her own wed- 
ding dress. After it was warped it was so fine that she 
passed it through a gold finger-ring. 

13th. — Have had frequent snows of late. 

17th. — Hear of a handsome affair between Yankee 
and Confederate Cavalry near Kelly's Ford; the former 
were finally routed. Major Puller, of Gloucester, and 
the noted Major Pelham, of Alabama, were killed. 

22d. — Our people took a collection to help the sick in 
General W. H. F. Lee's brigade. I find that the horses 
in his brigade are in a very bad condition. 

26th. — A case of scarlet fever at P. E. Brooks's. 



172 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

30th. — A negro man named Jacob, belonging to 
J. R. B., who had run off to the Yankees, but had come 
back to the county, was caught last night. 

April 5th. — I have forebodings; articles of life are 
very scarce, and the poor are sadly straitened. Army 
wagons carried off nearly all of the corn in the coun- 
try. Twenty-five dollars per barrel has been offered 
for it; indeed you can get almost any price. Bacon, 
too, commands $1.50 per lb., shad $3.00 to $5.00 each, 
eggs $1.50 to $2.00 per doz. There is distress, too in 
Richmond. Wearing apparel and things edible are 
higher and higher. A barrel of fish sold when I was in 
town a day or two ago for $100.00. 

I ith. — On a visit to Petersburg I find soldiers, mainly 
cavalry, occupying log huts along the roads. Visit 
Chaffin's Bluff also, crossing the James on a pontoon 
bridge. 

13th. — Rode to town on horseback with a pair of 
saddlebags across the saddle, in each end of which was 
stuffed a bale of cotton, and a tin bucket tied behind. I 
carried also a carpetbag and an umbrella. It was in- 
deed ludicrous. 

14th. — Went down on York River Railroad and 
learned of the illness of Mrs. L. F. H. She subse- 
quently died, — but the most triumphant death I ever 
witnessed. 

1 6th. — Called to see Tomlin, who was wounded in 
the attempt made last Friday at Gloucester Point. 

20th. — Sent for to see Captain Tomlin, and found 
that mortification had occurred in foot and ankle. Dr. 
F. Taylor, Dr. Vaughan, and I consulting, determined 
to take off the leg; which was done, but without suitable 
instruments. 

29th. — Tomlin, poor fellow, died last night. 

May I St. — Papers bring intelligence that General 
Hooker has crossed the river above and below Freder- 
icksburg. 

2d. — Firing was heard yesterday and again to-day. 
A man from Newtown says it was distinct there, con- 
tinuing all day. Another case of scarlet fever, — one of 
my own daughters. 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 173 

4th. — Heard on the road to-day that a force of Yan- 
kee cavalry was crossing at Piping Tree early yesterday 
morning; thought lightly of the report. 

5 th. — Yankees in large force crossing at Walkerton. 
I deemed it best to leave home; started up the road 
about ten o'clock towards the Mill Gate, and spent the 
night with my old friend N. D. A note from R. H. B. 
informed me that fifty cavalry passed Stevensville, stat- 
ing that they had been whipped at Fredericksburg. 
After breakfast, passed through the Smyrna neighbor- 
hood and came home. On the way I met a member of 
the Gloucester cavalry, H. R. P., and C. B. F., with 
two Yankee prisoners (one Lieut. Mitchell), belong- 
ing to 1 2th Illinois Cavalry, whom they had captured. 
I passed on, In company with R. H. B., G. F. B. 
C. W. P., and P. E. L, to Carlton's store. Three pris- 
oners had been captured in that neighborhood, but on 
the other hand Yankees had captured two Confederate 
wagon trains. Returning homeward, I found the Yan- 
kees were still passing down the road In squads. I 
thought it best to get out of the way, and started up from 
my house toward the Mill Gate. Reaching a point 
about a hundred yards of the latter, I found myself face 
to face with a squad of Yankees. They were coming 
down on the Providence road towards Stevensville. I 
turned my horse immediately upon seeing them, and fled 
back towards the store. Was fired at quite a number of 
times, but fortunately escaped, and reaching the store, 
turned up the road towards Bruington. Some five or 
six Yankees pursued me, and one followed me a quarter 
of a mile. Perhaps It Is very well for both of us that 
I did not know it. Made my way through the woods 
to the cottage on the road to Mr. George Pendletons, 
but did not enter the house. Spent the entire night In 
the woods. 

6th. — The Yankees are scattered about In various 
directions, stealing horses and negroes. They have 
taken two of my horses, one worth four hundred, the 
other two hundred dollars. R. H. B. lost three, J. B. 
two, I. D. one. Col. P. two. Col. Wm. B. Davis seven. 
Col. Fleet three, J. R. Fleet five. The Yankees camped 



174 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

on the land of J. N. Gresham, ate at his table, and drank 
his liquor. 

7th. — Learn that the Yankees were a part of General 
Stoneman's command, which had passed Louisa and 
Hanover and Ashland, and having been attacked near 
there, crossed and came over into our county. They 
destroyed considerable stores and treated some of our 
citizens very rudely, — notably Mr. S. P. Ryland and 
J. R. Fleet, — because they would not readily surrender 
their personal property, like watches, horses, etc. 

loth. — By special request. Dr. S. S. H. read at 
Smyrna to-day a dying exhortation of Mrs. Margaret 
Campbell (the first wife of Alex. Campbell), a most 
admirable production. 

nth. — Very warm, thermoneter 85. Mr. A. W. R. 
of Gloucester dined with us to-day, reporting that he 
has been a great sufferer by depredations of the enemy. 

1 2th. — Replanting com. Heard with great regret 
of the death of Stonewall Jackson. 

13th. — Shad are beginning to run in Mattapony. 
We got fifty to-day. 

19th. — Took my wife to see Col. Charles H. Carl- 
ton, a son of B. C. He is an old acquaintance and full 
colonel in the Confederate army. 

20th. — Herrings are being gotten from the river, and 
are very helpful. 

23d. — Called to see A. B., whose fractured arm has 
failed to unite. Other cases of scarlet fever, — at Elder 
I. D.'s this time. 

27th. — Reported at Stevensville that the Yankees are 
at King and Queen Courthouse and advancing. 

28th. — Election day, but very many persons deterred 
from going to the polls. 

June I St. — Exceedingly harassed and perplexed by 
unpleasant reports and prospects; am anxious to get 
something out of the way of the vandals, but do not 
know where to put it, or whom of my servants to trust. 
I think I have some that are faithful, but am not sure. 

2d, — Heard late last night the Yankees are retiring. 
They came into Middlesex and Essex from Gloucester 
Point. 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, ^^RGINIA 175 

T.d. — R. H. B. started with a wagon of hospital 
stores to Richmond; the people brought more than he 
could carry. Dr. J. M. E. came up from Middlesex; 
he reports that the Yankees boarded transports at Ur- 
banna and crossed at Carter's Creek. 

4th. — Yankees carried off ver>' large number of ne- 
groes, notably Dr. Roy's. Thos. W. Garrett's, Lotty 
Sloore's, Mrs. Col. Spencer's, etc. 

^th. — Report comes this morning that the Yankees 
are in force at Walkerton, setting fire to houses, mills, 
etc.; could see smoke ascending from three or four dif- 
ferent points. About two o'clock heard the booming of 
cannon, evidently from gunboats returning down the 
river. About four o'clock Halback, Tommy Ryland, 
and I started toward ^Valkerton, passing through by 
Mrs. Cook's, McTelland's, and Dr. Henley's. Xear 
Dr. Henlev's a shell passed near us and exploded. ^Ve 
turned towards Hillsborough, and pretts' soon sa^y three 
boats, all shelling the bluffs on King William side; as 
they passed Hillsborough, they fired a volley of small 
arms at Mr. H. and the children standing in the yard. 
Several balls struck the end of the brick dwelling, and 
one passed through a window and struck a door. Shells 
were thrown at citizens at various points, one at Mrs. 
R. Douglass, sitting in the porch at Frazier's Ferry 
with a child in her arms. 

6th. — Yankees reached Walkerton Thursday night 
about one o'clock; landed four hundred infantrv'. seiz- 
ing horses as they advanced bv land towards Ayletts. 
At this place they burned foundry, store, dwelling, and 
granaries. An immense deal of property was destroyed, 
negroes taken away, horses stolen. 

Qth. — Learn to my regret that Harriet, a daughter 
of Rev. I. D., was dying. He has been sadly afflicted, — 
diphtheria. 

1 2th. — A party of gentlemen assembled at Stevens- 
ville, notablv Col.' Wm. B. Davis, Elders R. H. Bagbv, 
and R. H. Land, Capt. ^L P. Todd, Rodney Dew, 
J. ^L Jeffries, to devise measures to protect ourselves. 
Our enemies are adopting a barbarous warfare; we 
must defend ourselves. Hear of several cavalry fights 



176 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

near Brandy Station, — enemy finally driven across the 
river. 

15th. — Very warm and dry, Lucy Fleet left with 
Tom. Henley to go to Middlesex. 

1 6th. — Another meeting of citizens at Providence to 
confer about defense. The enemy in some cases force 
women and children to take the oath or leave their home. 
Col. A. Fleet called to order and Elder R. H. Land 
prayed. There has been a large peace-meeting in New 
York city, — thirty thousand people present. They ac- 
knowledge that they have been whipped. 

17th. — General Ewell has captured Winchester, 
storming the works, capturing cannon, stores, and pris- 
oners. 

2 1 St, — Reported to-day that Yankee cavalry was ad- 
vancing from Gloucester Point; our company assem- 
bled, thirty strong, and took a position to attack them 
in case of an advance. They turned off, however, pass- 
ing up by Carlton's store, and then took the direction 
of Ware's Church. We have now three companies of 
home guards; one at Newtown, one at Stevensville, and 
one at the Courthouse, commanded by Captains Lump- 
kin, Bagby, and Todd. 

2 2d. — All three companies of home guards met at 
the Courthouse, also one company from King William. 
It has been rumored for a day or so that the Yankees 
were again advancing, and we feel very well prepared 
to receive them, for we have one or two companies from 
the regular army now in the county. 

24th, — Several gunboats at West Point creating some 
alarm in the county. 

26th. — Yankees making a raid by Old Church, Han- 
over Courthouse, and enter King William at Nelson's 
Bridge. 

27th. — Company in camp at Dunkirk, slept on blan- 
ket and oilcloth, with saddle for pillow. Twice during 
the night ordered to saddle up, but a heavy rain led us 
to desist. About day we started across the river, march- 
ing in the direction of Hebron Church, where we joined 
Douglass' and Croxton's companies, all under Col. 
Douglass. At Hebron entered the church, built up a 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 177 

good fire in the stove. Just as we began to get comfort- 
able, in dashed pickets reporting that the enemy were 
almost upon us. The report proved deceptive, for the 
enemy had turned off on another road towards Brandy- 
wine. Col. Douglass moved in that direction on another 
road. I, with Albert Hill, Bennie Fleet, Boone Dew, 
and Wm. Samuel, left as a picket near the chapel. After 
a while we rejoined Col. D., striking the Brandywine 
road, but the Yankees had passed down ahead of us. 
Our battalion subsequently ran into the enemy near 
Sharon Church, but as it was found the enemy were too 
strong, we fell back before them. That night my com- 
pany recrossed into King and Queen. (We ascertained 
later that there was a considerable force of infantry 
with the cavalry which we had encountered; it was for- 
tunate we were not seriously engaged with them.) On 
Saturday night (27th) I reached Walkerton, together' 
with T. McLelland, W. C. Anderson, Jos. Griffith, 
Henry R. Pollard, Chas. Didlake, John Thurston, 
Moore Wright, Robt. Woodward, E. S. and Alexander 
Acree. Nothing occurred during the night. 

30th (Tuesday). — We have been cut off from Rich- 
mond and have no mails. Yankees are certainly land- 
ing a heavy force at White House. 

July ist (Wednesday). — Rumored that the Yankees 
are advancing in heavy force through King William. 
Attend prayer-meeting at Bruington; exhortations from 
R. H. B., J. R. G., Col. Fleet, and Arthur Temple. 

3d. — Sultry. The Yankees are in considerable force 
in King William, camped on Jas. Roane's land, and can 
be distinctly seen from this side. Heavy and rapid firing 
heard from 6 :30 to 7 yesterday evening. Our com- 
pany go into camp at Rosemont, and picket river from 
Walkerton to Dunkirk. 

5th. — Yankees at Walkerton in gunboats. 

8th. — A boy born to Mrs. L. T., weighing nine 
pounds. Delightful rain to-day, first since May 8th. 

9th. — Capt. Bagby's company (home guards) had 
weekly meeting to-day. We find that there are two de- 
serters, who had hid themselves in a cave; caught one; 
the other escaped. 



178 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

loth. — Hear depressing news of the fall of Vicks- 
burg. 

iith. — Weather of most remarkable character — air 
humid and thick like Indian Summer, — sun hardly to be 
seen at all; has the appearance this p. M. of sun in 
eclipse. Wind south. 

1 2th. — Same appearance of the atmosphere and of 
the sun to-day. Basement of dwelling very damp. 
(This weather continued through next day, — yet no 
rain, though heavy dew.) 

14th. — Capt. B. [R. H. Bagby] returned from Rich- 
mond, reporting that his company was accepted by De- 
partment, and he got all the ammunition he asked for. 
Heavy rain. 

20th. — Port Hudson on the Mississippi capitulated 
on the ninth, after garrison had eaten their last mule. 
Tremendous riot in New York, but Lincoln suspended 
the draft. 

22d. — Appropriate and excellent exhortation from 
Dr. Robert Ryland of Richmond. 

23d. — Three Baltimoreans spent night, — Berryman, 
McGee, and Adams. The first was wounded in first 
Manassas. 

27th. — Little Mary D. is very ill. She subsequently 
dies, leaving a mother greatly afflicted. 

31st. — Dined at A. B.'s with wife, Mr. Jeff., Sue, 
and Mollie, Mrs. Col. P. and Mrs. Dr. and P. Wood- 
ward. 

August 4th. — Up early to go to Richmond with Dr. 
J. M. E., who wishes to consult a physician. Saw Dr. 
Pettacolas. 

Prices: Calf skins sixty to sixty-five dollars. Brown 
Sugar two, Loaf four. Bacon $1.75, Boots sixty to 
seventy-five, Salt five. Calico three to four. Corn ten 
per bushel, Meal twelve. Flour thirty. Bale Cotton No. 
6 twelve per bale. 

5th. — Spend the night at Old Church, and reach 
home by nine o'clock. 

8th. — Mercury ninety degrees. 

iith. — Diphtheria and scarlet fever still raging. In- 
tense heat modified by a splendid rain. 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 179 

13th (Thursday). — Company met and drilled. 
Peaches very fine, 

2ist. — Fast day. Had notice that the Fifth Virginia 
Cavalry would be along, and Col. Rosser wished break- 
fast for himself and otlicers. 

24th. — Part of the Fifth Regiment came by, return- 
ing from lower Middlesex, and bringing lifty-odd Yan- 
kees captured from two gunboats Saturday night by 
marines under Lieut. Wood. The boats were lying in 
the river below Urbanna. We had one man wounded. 
The Yankees one or two killed and several wounded. 
Marines took possession of the boats and moved down 
the river in quest of other boats. People of the neigh- 
borhood furnished dinner to Capt. Fox's company and 
the prisoners, under the large oaks near Mr. John B.'s 
ice house. 

27th. — Fifth Regiment returned and encamped near 
McLelland's. Walter Burke, only seventeen, took sup- 
per with us, — a Baltimorean. 

Sept. 7th. — Heard to-day of the death of D. L. — he 
was about seventy. Poor old man, he died without any 
hope in Christ. I have known him all my life, and 
never heard him speak in praise of any man. He scoffed 
at religion and watched for failings of professors. 

15th. — Put down sorghum machine, ground foisr bar- 
rels of juice to be converted into molasses. 

1 8th. — Was aroused during the night by G. R. F., 
who announced that the Yankees were encamped just 
below Carlton's store in large numbers. He reported 
that he, Drs. W. and H., W. R. C, and J. P., had 
scouted below the store, and that W. R. C, being in 
advance, had been fired upon and perhaps killed; that 
he, also, had been fired upon, but had escaped, with 
difficulty. (This afterwards turned out to be all a hoax 
gotten up on F.) 

25th. — News of Bragg's victory at Chickamauga. 

28th. — At a sale an ordinary pair of oxen sold for 
more than four hundred dollars, and common cows 
brought one hundred and fifty dollars. 

Oct. loth. — Received of Mr. B. seventeen gallons of 
very nice molasses made from three loads of cane. 



180 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

23d. — No mails to-day, stage did not leave Rich- 
mond. 

25th, — Cold wind, north. Heard of the death of 
old Mr. T. M. He was eighty-three years old, a most 
remarkable man in personal appearance, in disposition, 
and habits. From an accident in his early youth, in- 
juring his spine, his body was remarkably curved, — 
breast-bone almost, if not quite, down to the pelvis: the 
shortest body and the longest legs I ever saw. Owing, 
I think, to his disease, he was exceedingly peevish and 
quarrelsome, and had during his life more disagree- 
ments and lawsuits than any man I ever knew. I sup- 
pose that for thirty or forty years there was no time 
that he did not have one or more suits on hand. He 
contested the lines with each one of his neighbors, spent 
thousands of dollars, visited no one, and no one visited 
him. Indeed, he rarely spoke to any neighbor, and 
kept the neighborhood in constant turmoil. In early 
life he wrote in the Clerk's office, and afterwards 
preached. Strange as it may seem, he married three 
times. One son is married, an amiable and highly re- 
spected and esteemed citizen, 

28th. — Heard a week ago to-day that Capt. T. JW.. 
H. had been severely, perhaps mortally, wounded. 
Great sympathy is felt for him. Apprehensions, how- 
ever, were not verified, for Capt. H. lived for years, 
and became treasurer of King William County after 
the war. I knew him very well; he was kind, generous, 
arrilable, full of fun, sprightly; never studied much, but 
always stood well in class; a favorite in school and out. 
When war broke out he joined a company made up by 
W. H. F. Lee, and was made O. S., was promoted to 
Lieutenant, and afterwards Captain; one of the bravest 
of the brave, and enjoyed the confidence and esteem 
of all. 

31st. — Dined at Mrs. R. P.'s with Thomas Wood 
of Kentucky. He had to leave his home at Lexington 
in consequence of sympathy with and aid to Confed- 
erate army. 

Nov. 5th. — Paid State and County tax, which, to- 
gether with one-tenth of my crops, in money, would 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 181 

amount to upwards of six hundred dollars. Bought a 
mare at public auction, very poor and worn down, with 
sore back, and paid three hundred and eighty-five dol- 
lars, — worth thirty. 

6th. — Attended drill of home guard, with court- 
martial. 

8th. — Bishop Johns preached at St. Paul's, confirm- 
ing thirty-four, among them M. J. 

14th, — Yesterday evening Logan G., a granddaugh- 
ter of Mrs. P. B., on horseback with E. B. : the former 
cutting the horse, it sprang off and both the girls fell 
backward to the ground. Miss G. sprang up quickly; 
when, seeing that she was pale, the girls came to her 
help, but in a few moments she died. It was indeed a 
distressing affair. 

19th. — Dr. T. L. came to court to-day wearing a 
pair of shoes with wooden soles. They attracted much 
attention; leather is very scarce. 

2 2d. — Mordecai C. reached home from Charleston 
to-day, sick. Company K of 34th Virginia has been 
South now for some weeks. 

27th. — Thomas has defeated Bragg at Chattanooga, 
— thus come the lights and the shades. 

Dec. 4th. — Yankees are reported retiring before our 
army in the West, and so is Meade before Lee. 

7th. — Salt has been bought by the county for the 
people. 

nth. — Got my share of salt to-day — 198 lbs. 

17th. — Last night at 7:40 we heard a rumbling 
sound, which shook the house severely; in two or three 
seconds this was repeated. Presently other persons from 
outside the house came in, asking what was the cause. 
This was repeated again about 4 A. M. (Probably ex- 
plosions of magazines at Yorktown.) 

25th. — A very dull Christmas, no gaiety or joyous- 
ness apparent. 

30th. — Men hired to-day for $400, women for $100 
to $150. At present rates this would make the total 
cost of a man about $1000. 



182 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

1864. 

Jan. I (Friday). — Pleasant to-day, but colder 
towards night. 

2d. — Mercury 1 1 degrees. 

3d. — Getting ice. 

4th. — Mr. J. N. G.'s house burned. Very little 
saved from the fire, some of the girls losing everything. 

7th. — Three Marylanders, Johnson, Childs, and 
Lithicum, with us. 

13th. — R. H. B. was thrown from his sulky yester- 
day, and again to-day as he rode with Mary R. He was 
quite badly hurt. 

19th. — Left home for Richmond. 

Prices: Sugar $5.00, Coffee $18 and $20, Bacon 
$3.50 to $4.00, Turkeys $2 lb.. Eggs $3 doz.. Flour 
$200 bbl.. Meal $18 bu.. Calico $6 to $8, Domestic 
$5 and $6. Medicines are enormously high. 

22d. — Saw General John H. Morgan and members 
of his staff. He is a quiet, gentlemanly-looking person, 
would not strike one as a dashing officer. Charges at the 
hotel $20.00 per day (Ballard House). Meeting to- 
night to raise funds for soldiers losing limbs. (Bought 
a horse about this time, near fourteen years old, for 

$450-) . ..• u • 

27th. — Organized a society, auxiliary to the one in 

Richmond mentioned on 2 2d. 

31st. — Government prices for Corn $20, Wheat $5. 
In Richmond, Corn $20 per bu., and wheat $30. The 
times appear to me to be very much out of joint, and I 
fear the people demoralized. I hear of some dancing 
in this neighborhood, and more in other neighborhoods. 

Feb. 4th, Court day. — Heard a speech from R. L. 
Montague on the momentous questions before the peo- 
ple. He exhorted the people to sell everything at gov- 
ernment prices, and to use and wear only such things as 
could be made at home; his words were with power. 
Appropriations were ordered to-day for soldiers' fami- 
lies. $15,000 in county bonds were sold. A colored 
man in the woods to-day saw two hawks fighting at top 
of a tree; in a short time they clinched and fell to the 
ground. He found they could not extricate themselves 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 18S 

and killed them both; he pulled them apart with 
difficulty. 

6th. — Mrs. P. Brooke died this morning. She was 
calm in the prospect of death, and sang with earnest- 
ness and feeling " 'Tis Religion that Can Give." 

7th. — Heard from a picket at Mantua Ferry that the 
Yankees were in King William in large force; sent mes- 
sage to Captain B. (This turned out to be a hoax.) 

15th. — Snowing. One of Yankee officers, named 
Driscoll, escaped from Richmond; was captured by 
J. B. and others. 

17th. — Intensely cold with high winds. 

1 8th. — Thermometer 6 degrees above at sunrise. 

2 1 St. — Sent for to see Dr. J. Lewis of King William. 
River has been frozen for some days, but is open to-day. 

24th. — In Richmond. Paid $10 for dinner at Bal- 
lard House. 

25th (Thursday). — Merchants ask $180 bu. for Clo- 
ver seed. Saw bacons sold for $8 lb. 

March 2d.* — Yankees reported crossing Pamunkey 
at Dabney's Ferry and coming this way. Capt. Bagby^ 
ordered his company to meet at Bruington at 5 o'clock. 
Capt. Magruder's and Capt. Blake's companies, of reg- 
ular army, with us. Passing up the road over Dickie's 
Bridge I met a man at the fork, one mile this side of 
Bruington (Capt. Charles G.), who reported the Yan- 
kees at Bruington. We laughed at the report, but in a 
few minutes heard firing and saw members of the Home 
Guard fleeing toward us, and Yankees pursuing. The 
latter halted, and soon began firing at a squad of our 
men near Butler's old tavern. The interval was a half- 
mile or more, but one of our men was struck, though 
not seriously hurt. (Have heard since that Col. Dahl- 
gren fired the shot.) 

Retiring before the Yankees, most of the Home 
Guard, with Capt. Magruder's command, took the di- 
rect road towards Dickie's Bridge and Stevensville. As 
we came down it was suggested to send a scout in the 
direction of the River road. Capt. Harrison of Ma- 

* This and the next following entry give an account of the famous 
Dahlgren Raid. 



184 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

gruder's company volunteered to move across the fields 
and count them as they passed down the other road. 
Passed through B.'s & T. M.'s and Philip Bird's into 
the Cow Trap woods below Belmont. In about five 
minutes after we reached our point of observation, the 
Yankees came along and I counted them, — one hun- 
dred and seventy men, mounted. We gave them a shot 
apiece, which they returned. Presently they stopped 
and seemed to be feeding in Gaines' old field, but we 
have since learned that it was at Hocklineck. We 
moved back from the woods into the road, and passing 
by Stevensville, we joined Magruder, augmented by 
some of the King and Queen cavalry under Capt. 
Fox, the Home Guard, etc. Capt. Bagby had already 
drawn up his men at the forks of the road above Man- 
tapike. Capt. Fox was requested to take charge of the 
entire force, and arrangements were made to fight them 
should they attempt to pass. About 10:30 P. M. the 
enemy were reported moving. Some of our men at the 
same moment were moving down towards the fork on 
the Stevensville road, and came in contact with the en- 
emy just as they reached that point. Col. Ulric Dahl- 
gren, seeing the men in the road, rode up and demanded 
a surrender, snapping his pistol. The man, or men, im- 
mediately fired return shots, and then a fusillade began 
from the northeast corner of the woody slope upon the 
head of the Yankee column; the enemy hastily retreated. 
Then our boys gave a tremendous shout and rushed into 
the road. I noticed a horse struggling in the agonies 
of death and a man under him, and in a short time 
another man lying in the ditch with his feet up against 
the fence and tree; this last was Col. Dahlgren. Mean- 
time the Yankees were in considerable commotion, — we 
on our part expecting another attack, — but as they did 
not advance, we feared an effort would be made to flank 
us, and so get by. So Lieuts. Nunn and Acree, Cris. 
Fleet and I moved out to learn about their intentions. 
We soon became satisfied they were still in the field. 
We moved down to where the Mantapike road crosses 
the River road and raised a barricade, awaiting the 
enemy the rest of the night. Next morning the whole 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 185 

force surrendered, — it produced a thrill of joy. The 
field presented a disorderly sight, — horses running loose, 
arms, saddles, haversacks, canteens, silverware, blan- 
kets, etc., scattered in confusion. Most of the arms and 
many of the horses were appropriated by our soldiers. 
I got a broken-down horse marked " U. S.," Spencer 
ritle, saddle, etc. My little boy brought in another 
horse. During the day many prisoners were brought in. 

5th (Saturday) . — Last night Capt. Bagby sent for me 
to come to his house to help guard six prisoners captured 
by him. Maj. E. F. Cooke, Lieut. Merritt, Lieut. 
Bartley, Privates Hogan, Williams, and Litchen, came 
to the house of his overseer (McFarland), and asked 
Mrs. M. to prepare them some supper. She immedi- 
ately began preparations, but privately dispatched a ne- 
gro girl to acquaint Capt. B. of their presence. The 
overseer's house is about one hundred and fifty yards 
from the dwelling. Capt. B. and his son John, at home 
on furlough, seized their pistols, ran down to the over- 
seer's and rushed into the room, presenting their pistols 
and demanding a surrender. Maj. Cooke hesitated, 
when Capt. Bagby said, " Surrender, or I will kill you," 
at the same time presenting his pistol at the major's 
head. It was indeed a trying moment, — two men 
against six, and all heavily armed. The major, with 
great reluctance, threw down his arms, and the rest fol- 
lowed his example. 

As I could not get up last night I hurried to go this 
morning, and found the prisoners snugly in bed in Capt. 
B.'s parlor. Soon after reaching there, news came that 
two more Yankees were in Capt. B.'s woods not far 
away. 

I hurried off, along with McF., J. N. Gresham, 
Jr., and John Lawson, to look after the two. Taking a 
position which commanded a view of the meadow just 
below, I awaited their appearance. In about fifteen 
minutes they came in sight, and coming up to a small 
stream of water, stooped to drink. I drew up, halted 
them, and demanded a surrender, with which they com- 
plied. I carried them to Capt. B.'s, where we all got 
breakfast, and marched the eight prisoners to Stevens- 



186 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

vlUe, there awaiting the arrival of the other prisoners, 
who had been carried to Camp Exol. In the evening 
they were taken forward toward Richmond, number- 
ing ninety-one. Three were unable to travel, one on 
account of a wound through the knee, and two from 
being hurt by horses. These three were Daniel Denis, 
from Lafayette (or Marshall), Indiana; a second was 
Michael Madden; the other John H. Remsen. Rem- 
sen was the man whom we found lying under the horse 
when Dahlgren was found lying in the road at the 
corner. 

7th. — Rumors of the advance of the enemy, and 
Home Guard ordered out. 

8th. — Home Guard assembled at Stevensville about 
sunrise, but learning that the enemy had retired, we 
disbanded. Two of the men wounded came to my house 
and were cared for, and one of them was lodged with 
Rev. I. Diggs. 

9th. — Yankees were certainly at Centreville yester- 
day. 

loth. — Home Guard met again at sunrise, and very 
soon we could see smoke arising from houses burning at 
the Courthouse. Our scouts came in and reported that 
the Yankees were advancing. Scouts further reported 
that they had burned the Courthouse, jail, clerk's office, 
tavern, storehouses, barns, stables, and mill, and the pri- 
vate residences of Wm. Martin and Robt. Pollard. 
After perpetrating this vandalism, they moved to Carl- 
ton's store, where they did other mischief, then went to 
Camp Exol and burned that. Soon after. Col. Beale 
came up with the Ninth Regiment and skirmished with 
them, but the Yankees retreated so rapidly towards Lit- 
tle Plymouth that Col. Beale failed to do them any 
serious damage. 

iith. — Ground saturated from the rain of yesterday. 
Everything in disorder, horses in the woods, cows and 
hogs loose in the field, and negroes indisposed to do 
anything. Got dispatches that Col. Beale wanted all 
the information he could get, as the Yankees were lin- 
gering below. Capt. Bagby went to Richmond with 
prisoners and has just returned. 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 187 

1 2th. — Company out and under arms all day. Bought 
fifteen bushels of oats at $io per bushel. 

1 8th. — Winds south, high and warm. 

2 2d. — Very cold, windy, and unpleasant. Com- 
menced snowing about one o'clock, and continued for 
some hours. Wind blowing a severe gale from N. E. 
It is now^ positively certain that Gen. U. S. Grant has 
been made lieut.-general, and has succeeded Gen. Hal- 
leck as commander-in-chief of the Yankee armies; that 
for the present he will be in command of the Army of 
the Potomac. Indeed, there seems to be a general 
change of commanders of Yankee armies all around, 
and, among others, Sherman is to succeed Thomas at 
Chattanooga. General Forest has just defeated Grier- 
son and Smith with their cavalry forces, they having 
seven thousand against his twenty-four hundred. 

23d. Snowing all night, but about nine o'clock this 
morning sun came out and it grew pleasant. In some 
places it was from three to five feet deep. Shad are just 
beginning to run, 

26th (Easter). — A very blustering day. Almost all 
the snow melted. 

27th. — Called to see Mr. P. Bird, who is sick. 

28th. — John W. Deshazo died yesterday. 

31st. — Home Guard are to meet second and fourth 
Thursdays at 10 A. m., Pyne's old shop. Dined at 
T. H.'s with Maj. John Henley and his wife and sister 
(Mrs. Susan Copeland), refugees from Williamsburg, 
who have suffered very much by the Yankees. 

April 5th. — Miss Kate M. is ill at W. D. G.'s, and 
P. Bird at his own home. Wind very high. 

iith. — Had the pleasure to-day of meeting Alex- 
ander C. Jones, formerly of this county, now of Arkan- 
sas; he is just from the army of Gen. Longstreet. 

1 2th. — Mr. Philemon Bird died this morning about 
day. His physician worked hard on him, but failed to 
arrest the disease. 

20th. — Sent a hog to Richmond weighing 273^ lbs., 
which brought me $1094. 

22d. — Hear to-day that Maj. J. R. B. is in Peters- 
burg, suffering seriously with dyspepsia. News that 



188 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

Gen. Hoke has captured Plymouth, N. C, with twenty- 
five hundred prisoners, thirty-five cannon, one hundred 
thousand pounds of bacon, etc. 

26th. — Dentis, a Yankee prisoner at my house, left 
for Richmond. He seemed reluctant to go, and we 
were sorry to part with him, though he was an enemy. 
His education is limited, but he has considerable natural 
shrewdness. — A few shad. 

May 4th. — The horses, saddles, guns, etc., captured 
from the Yankees were appraised to-day, so as to make 
an equal distribution among the men engaged. The 
men who held the horses should be allowed to retain 
the minor articles. 

5th. — Sent to Mr. B. Carlton 199 lbs. bacon for 
families of the soldiers. 

8th. — Mercury 89 degrees. 

9th. — Great anxiety to learn issue of battle between 
Lee and Grant. 

loth. — Hear that Yankee army landed at Bermuda 
Hundred, advanced towards Petersburg Railroad, and 
were driven back with some loss. [About this time the 
Yankees had constructed a high tower at a point some 
ten miles from Petersburg, from which to spy over into 
the city. One morning General Butler, who was in com- 
mand, had gone up to the top of the tower to see what 
he could see. While he was up there a cannon ball from 
a Confederate battery two miles away came over and 
struck the tower. The people around said, " The old 
general came down quicker than he went up."] Medi- 
cal Board assembled here yesterday. 

1 2th. — Attended drill, and Home Guard was ordered 
to rendezvous at St. Stephens. 

13th. — Most of the company from St. Stephens were 
ordered out on picket at Walkerton, Ayletts, and Dun- 
kirk. Spent the night in the church. 

14th. — ^Went to Ayletts to picket the ferry, along 
with H. Cox, J. McF., A. C. Coleman, and Z. 
Carlton. 

15th. — Spent last night in the ferry house and was 
relieved this morning. Mr. T. W. L. Fauntleroy, John 
and Joseph Ryland, Mrs. P. Smith, Edwin Watkins, 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 189 

W. H. Berkeley, etc., were very kind and liberal in send- 
ing provisions. 

1 6th. — Got home tired and sleepy. Heard yester- 
day, to my deep regret, of the death of Capt. E. C. 
Fox, Polk Watkins, Jos. Wayne, and Robt. Davis, all 
of the King and Queen cavalry, in a battle with Sheri- 
dan at Yellow Tavern. Alex. Acree is very badly 
wounded, — and others. 

17th. — Gen. Beauregard had a heavy fight with the 
Yankees below Drewry's Bluff yesterday, and drove 
them back, taking a large number of prisoners (Gen. 
Hickman, etc.). It is said also that Gen. Breckenridge 
has whipped them at New Market in the Valley, and 
Gen. Joe Johnston driven them back from an attempt 
on the fortifications at Dalton. 

1 8th. — Put up herring and a few shad at Mantapike 
this morning. 

About this time there were strong indications that 
the enemy would cut us off from Richmond, and per- 
haps overrun all this part of the State. Grant was com- 
ing down from Spottsylvania Courthouse in the direc- 
tion of Cold Harbor, and already a cavalry force of 
some 3000 men had appeared in upper King William. 
A very large infantry force passed through the upper 
part of the county, together with, as it would seem, the 
entire wagon train of Grant's army. They crossed over 
at Dunkirk and other points above. The Home Guard 
was called out, and moved up towards Clarkston, but 
finding the enemy in very strong force, they were smart 
enough not to attack, yet, as far as was in their power, 
to prevent straggling. We camped at Shuter's Hill, be- 
longing to John Ryland, Saturday night, and Sunday 
night on Joseph Ryland's land. Saturday John A. Fleet 
and myself were sent on a scout, and reaching a certain 
position, saw a large number of wagons, some on each 
side of the river, with cavalry and infantry. They had 
camped on John Fauntleroy's field beyond the ferry. 
Some two hundred or three hundred cavalry had before 
this crossed to our side of the river; having built a good 
bridge, we supposed the whole body intended crossing, 
but next morning the two hundred recrossed, the bridge 



190 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

was taken up, and they went on their way. There is no 
doubt that Burnside's corps passed down by Newtown 
and crossed the Mattapony below. The Home Guard 
watched them, and there were but few stragglers. 

Here, with May, 1864, this interesting journal closes, 
with the exception of a few items that would not interest. 
Events ripened so fast from this time on that the jour- 
nalist suspended his writing and seems to have turned 
his attention more in other directions. It was during 
the month of July that Sheridan, with a cavalry force of 
some ten or twelve thousand, moved out from General 
Grant's lines, flanking Richmond first northward, and 
then westward along the line of the Chesapeake & 
Ohio Railroad. His objective was to join General 
Hunter, who was moving southward towards Lynch- 
burg, with a view to capturing that city. Each of them 
failed of his object. Early was sent to Lynchburg to 
head off Hunter, and General Hampton intercepted 
Sheridan some ten miles above Louisa Courthouse, the 
latter making haste to get out of his way. In retiring, 
Sheridan came down into our county, bringing with him 
the largest force (save Burnside, who simply passed 
through) that ever set foot on our soil. He came down 
as far as King and Queen Courthouse, where he camped. 
Naturally there were a great many stragglers, and im- 
mense mischief was done by parties along the line of 
their march. Fortunately for us, it was of brief dura- 
tion, for next day being Sunday, they passed back up 
the county and retired across the Mattapony and Pa- 
munkey, rejoining General Grant. These fellows vis- 
ited well-nigh every house of note on all the roads within 
five miles of the Mattapony River. They got pretty 
much all they wanted at each place, and in some in- 
stances behaved very rudely towards women and chil- 
dren. Many of them were foreis;ners, as one could 
easily detect from their speech. We were certainly as 
glad to be rid of them as they were to quit us. This 
was the last raid into our county, but we shared to the 
full in the distresses about Petersburg, doing what we 
could to alleviate the sufferings of the poor fellows in 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 191 

the trenches; and when Richmond was evacuated — es- 
pecially when Appomattox came a week later — we were 
as much distressed as any of our unfortunate people. 
One Monday afternoon (it was, I think, the third day 
of April, 1865) the author had walked across the road 
to visit his wife's father. As he came back, entering 
the road to recross, he saw a negro man coming down 
the road, dressed in a fantastic costume, and reporting 
as he passed down, " Richmond has gone up." It was 
to very many hearts like a wail from the lower regions. 
Still, we were not without hope that the matchless man 
who was leading our armies would find some way to 
save our declining cause. i\ppomattox, of course, set- 
tled the matter, and left us struggling in the waves of 
Reconstruction. Our county people had acted their part 
wonderfully well. We had surrendered husbands, 
brothers, sons, and treasure to sustain the banner of 
General Lee, and when Reconstruction came it just 
happened in the good providence of God that we 
suffered less than very many of our fellow-citizens of 
less fortunate communities. 

Such incidents as that of the Dahlgren lock of hair — 
given on a previous page — are an index of the feeling 
and motive of our people in their part of the great con- 
flict. They were not actuated in their defensive meas- 
ures by feelings of malice, or jealousy, or a vindictive 
spirit, but they stood manfully for the defense of their 
rights as they saw these, under the Constitution of the 
United States. 



CHAPTER XI 

FROM RICHMOND TO APPOMATTOX 

A Narrative of the Operations of the Twenty-fourth Regiment of Vir- 
ginia Cavalry, — Gary's Brigade, Army of Northern Virginia, — 
April 3-7, 1865. 

By S. Bird. 

After the stirring campaign of the summer and fall 
of 1864, the cavalry brigade of General M. W. Gary, 
A. N. v., — composed of the Hampton Legion, the 
Seventh South Carolina, Seventh Georgia, and Twenty- 
fourth Virginia regiments of cavalry, and Harkerson's 
Battery of artillery, — found Itself in the month of Jan- 
uary, 1865, at " Camp Gary," about four miles below 
or east of Richmond City, near Fair Oaks station on 
the York River Railroad. 

This cavalry brigade was at that time about the only 
Confederate force of consequence to offer resistance to 
any advance which might be made by General Ord's 
corps of the Federal army, which occupied Fort Harri- 
son on the north side of James River, several miles be- 
low our camp. 

In February, I think it was, a part of General G. W. 
C. Lee's division of infantry moved to that side of the 
river. Fortunately for us, the enemy seemed content 
to remain quiet for a time, at least during this severe 
winter, and we improved the time left us from the vig- 
orous and trying picket duty along the White Oak 
Swamp, in making rude tents with pine poles, splitting 
the poles as best we could for roofs, which we supple- 
mented with strips of any and all kinds of cloth or old 
blankets that we could gather to protect us from the 
freezing and almost incessant rains of that trying 
winter. 

Rations for the men, as well as food for our horses, 
grew sadly and feelingly less with each succeeding week, 
until about the middle of February, I think it was, we 

192 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 193 

learned that our regiment, the Twenty-fourth Virginia 
Cavalry, would probably be allowed, as a matter of 
necessity, to move by companies to localities nearest the 
homes of the men, from which points the men would go 
to their respective homes to recruit both themselves and 
horses, for a week or two at least, so as to return in 
good shape for the spring campaign, which we all knew 
would be desperate and decisive. The sequel proved 
that it was more than that; it was "short, sharp, de- 
cisive," and ended in despair. 

In pursuance of this plan, our company (F), com- 
manded by the venerable and chivalrous Captain L. W. 
Allen (w^ho at the age of sixty years and more shared 
all the hardships and dangers of camp and march and 
battle with a degree of cheerful endurance surpassed by 
none of his men in the ranks), received orders late in 
the evening of one of the coldest days in February we 
ever felt, to move the company to Taylorsville, in Han- 
over County, a distance of probably twenty miles. 

Just about sunset we were ordered to " saddle up," 
and in thirty minutes or less we were on the march. 
Who of our number could ever forget that night? Our 
line of march was directly over the ground nearly every 
foot of which had been cut and worked up by the two 
armies during the preceding summer, in the campaign 
from the Wilderness to the James River, followed dur- 
ing the fall and winter by our wagons in quest of sup- 
plies for our army, until the surface was now a frozen 
mass of mud, spikes, and gullies. I have never been 
able to determine which suffered the most that night, 
the men from the piercing, freezing cold, — poorly clad 
as they were, — or the horses literally treading on spikes 
at every step, until many of them could go no further; 
when their riders would stop, kindle a fire in the woods, 
and wait for daylight to enable them to choose the way, 
if indeed there was any choice even then. 

My brother and myself, whose horses had never 
failed us, were among the few who continued the march 
to the end that night; keeping our feet from freezing, 
and aiding our horses at the same time, by dismounting 
and leading them for hours. About daybreak we 



194 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

reached Taylorsville, found good log tents which some 
Infantry had lately vacated, and which were like pal- 
aces to us, — roomy, with log chimneys, and plenty of 
clean straw for our beds. We lost no time in kindling 
fires and thawing ourselves out, not forgetting to un- 
saddle quickly our poor suffering horses, and cover them 
with all our blankets, while the fire and straw sufficed 
for us indoors. 

In such luxurious quarters, we did not then envy the 
poor fellows who had dropped out by the wayside that 
night, and who were straggling in until late that day, 
their horses footsore and limping, themselves half- 
frozen and famished. 

We remained there three or four days, for our horses 
to rest their lacerated and swollen feet; when in groups 
of four or five we were ordered to our respective homes 
In the adjacent counties, to remain and recuperate man 
and beast for about two weeks, and then return to the 
vicinity of Taylorsville, or such other place as the com- 
mand might assemble at; meantime keeping ourselves 
in readiness to obey any orders for special duty which 
might reach us, or to return promptly to our command. 

When we consider the suffering which had to be en- 
dured that winter, when there was no place we could 
call winter quarters, shelterless when moving from place 
to place, poorly clad, and withal reduced almost to a 
state of starvation with only about four ounces of 
bacon and a pound of com meal or flour for a twenty- 
four hours' ration, — it might be well to reflect a mo- 
ment and ask the question, " Who but Confederate 
soldiers could have been trusted to go to their homes, 
and return to their commands, only to be better pre- 
pared to meet the ' overwhelming numbers ' which we 
all knew the enemy were losing no time nor resources 
to marshal against us?" Some of the boys said we 
were only going home to fatten up and return In good 
" killing order," and there was really more truth than 
wit in the expression. 

The men were simply placed on their honor, and 
right loyally did they honor the confidence reposed 
In them. Not only did they, with scarcely an exception, 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 195 

return in a few weeks, but many who (for what they 
considered good reasons) were already absent without 
leave (for no furloughs were permitted under any cir- 
cumstances) returned also. 

Sergeant C. H. Carlton (noble Christian soldier), 
my brother Preston and myself were instructed to pro- 
ceed to our homes in King and Queen County; and 
after resting our horses a few days my brother and my- 
self were to scout the Rappahannock and Piankitank 
Rivers down the south sides, and returning home con- 
tinue the scout up to the vicinity of Fredericksburg and 
Richmond, — unless in the meantime some movement 
of the enemy should render it in our judgment important 
to report promptly to Richmond. 

We executed the first part of the programme, discov- 
ering no movement of the enemy, except some activity 
of the Federal gunboats in the lower Rappahannock and 
Piankitank, — nothing to indicate the landing of any 
considerable force. We found, however, many of our 
men who were absent w^ithout leave, and told them we 
were authorized to inform them all that if they would 
return voluntarily to the regiment within a week or 
ten days, the army regulations would be suspended and 
" play quits " as to them. They readily consented to 
this, as they said it was their intention to do anyhow, 
and carried out their promise, while our guarantee as 
to regulations was sacredly kept by the officials. 

On our return to our home, where we expected to rest 
our horses a week or more, we learned that orders had 
been sent through Sergeant Carlton for us to return as 
promptly as possible to our regiment, which would ren- 
dezvous somewhere in the vicinity of Hanover Court- 
house. Remaining at home about two days for neces- 
sary rest, because nearly all of our time since leaving 
Taylorsville had been occupied in the scouting duty as- 
signed to us, we started to rejoin our command. 

Reaching the Pamunkey River we found it swollen 
over its banks, with a rushing current caused by recent 
heavy rains. It was perilous to venture swimming our 
horses, which we would have done under ordinary cir- 
cumstances, when there were no boats, although the 



196 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

stream is usually narrow and high up the river. We 
also learned that a column of the enemy had been seen 
on the opposite side that day, which for the time would 
likely cut us off from reaching our command, if indeed 
we should be able to escape capture. We therefore de- 
termined to wait a day or two in hopes that both the 
river and the enemy would resume their proper places. 
Accordingly we ventured to our home, about twenty 
miles distant, which we reached that night. 

How little did I dream of the impending blow about 
to fall on me with the first crushing sorrow of my then 
vigorous and buoyant youth. With the exception of 
some fatigue from our recent scout and exposure, my 
brother and myself were in perfect health. 

The following morning my brother rode over to spend 
an hour or two with one of our nearest neighbors, whom 
he had not seen during the few days he had spent at 
home. To our surprise he did not return that evening 
or night, as we knew was his intention. On the fol- 
lowing morning a messenger rode up and informed us 
that he was quite sick. My father, not thinking he 
could be seriously ill in so short a time, immediately 
went over to this neighbor's and brought him home in a 
carriage. Never shall I forget my horror and amaze- 
ment, and the indescribable feeling of despair which 
seized and almost paralyzed me, when I went up to 
the carriage to assist him out and looked into his pale 
face, the expression of which told me in silent but un- 
mistakable tones that he was already in a dying con- 
dition. 

The nearest physician was hastily summoned and 
every effort made to revive him, — without avail. He 
had made his last scout and by some strange destiny 
had been turned back from reaching his command, 
where he could be brought home to die that night. 
He had suddenly fallen into a stupor the day before 
while sitting with his friends around their hospitable 
fireside. Thinking it was simply the result of fatigue 
and exposure, or a chill, they had put him to bed ex- 
pecting that he would awake refreshed from sleep and 
well in the morning. It proved, however, that the 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 197 

sudden stupor was delirium, from which he did not 
rally or regain consciousness. This is the short pathetic 
story of his sudden death, the disease or immediate 
cause of which has always been and will continue to be 
a mystery. No language could express my crushing 
grief and deep despair. 

After more than thirty-five years have Intervened, 
my heart almost sinks within me now and bleeds afresh 
at every pore as memory reverts to that dark, dismal, 
desolate hour when relentless death claimed the only 
brother of my soul. He had been all that a devoted 
brother could be to me. From earliest childhood we 
had been Inseparable, slept together, started to school 
together the same day, pursued the same studies. In the 
same classes, — until the school was broken up by the 
call to arms in the spring of 1861, when the teachers 
enlisted the larger boys into the company of which 
they were elected officers, and turned our playground 
into a drill ground. 

We were both too young then for military or serv- 
ice duty, nor were we separated until the sumnier of 
1863, when my brother, at the age of eighteen, joined 
the army around Richmond. The following year I 
joined his company. He was a veteran then and watched 
over me with the tender solicitude of a mother; nor 
were we ever separated again until his death. — Two 
days later, on a bleak, dreary evening In March, — the 
earth wrapped In snow and Ice, — we laid him In the 
quiet graveyard by the side of our precious mother, 
with her to await the resurrection mom. Among the 
thousands of heroes who offered and yielded their lives 
for our Southland there were none more heroic and 
chivalrous than he. 

Could he have chosen the manner of his death it 
would have been in his accustomed place In the fore- 
front of the battle, his gleaming saber flashing inspira- 
tion to his comrades and defiance to the foe; In obeying 
his last order and performing faithfully his last 
duty; not like the galley slave, scourged to his dungeon 
at night, but as one who " wraps the drapery of his couch 
about him and lies down to pleasant dreams." Alas, 



198 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

brother of my soul, that my pen falters and words fail 
me to pay the tribute due to your noble life 1 I cannot 
pen this narrative for my children without this humble 
and inadequate tribute to your memory, commending 
to them your noble life as an inspiration and example 
for them to obey the call of duty. 

On the morning after his burial I set out, disconsolate 
and desolate, to join my regiment, which, on the second 
day of my journey, about March 25 I think it was, I 
found at " Old Gary," where it had just camped after 
some slight skirmishing with the enemy several days 
before, they having retired to the vicinity of Fort Har- 
rison without offering battle. 

I should be recreant to my duty if I failed now to 
mention the tender and sincere sympathy with which 
the members of my company, as well, indeed, as the 
whole regiment, greeted me. Especially as brigade 
scout, my brother Preston was well known and esteemed 
by all; his modest bearing, quiet disposition, kind and 
sympathetic heart, were no less admired than his dash- 
ing, intrepid bravery in battle or whenever cool courage 
and discretion were demanded. 

As I rode into camp with my unspeakable grief re- 
flected in my countenance, the greeting which came from 
everyone was " Where is Preston? " I made a supreme 
effort to answer dead, for I knew at that moment I 
could only give utterance to that one word. I could not 
speak, but chokingly leaned over on my horse and 
sobbed for utterance; they knew too well the answer 
I was trying to utter and with eyes filled with tears 
gathered around me, took me from my horse, assisted 
me to a rude tent, mingling their tears with mine, 
striving as best they could to comfort and calm my 
bursting heart, until I could find utterance and relate 
the sad, simple story of my brother's sudden death. 
Noble fellows, your sympathy for me was sincere and 
heartfelt, but your tears and grief were your best and 
spontaneous tribute to the noble young soldier, whom 
you so much loved and who would now return no 
more. It was unusual for those veterans to give such 
visible expressions of sorrow at the death of one of 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 199 

their number. They had often seen their comrades fall 
so thick and fast that they would become discouraged, 
and lose their spirit for the grewsome work which duty 
demanded of them in active warfare. 

General Gary sent me a message of sympathy, and 
expressive of the loss he had sustained in the death of 
his trusted and chivalrous young scout. In the fall of 
1863, when Preston first received his " baptism of fire," 
General Gary had been impressed with his dashing 
bravery and gallant bearing in battle, and selected him 
for some important duty requiring the highest order of 
courage and discretion. This speedily resulted in his 
appointment as independent scout, with credentials to 
go and report at will; he knew the peril and responsibil- 
ity of his mission, which he promptly accepted, pro- 
ceeding at once to spend most of his time in the enemy's 
line and around their outposts. 

He frequently captured the enemy's couriers with 
their dispatches, which of course he promptly reported. 
At other times, eluding the hostile pickets (generally at 
night), he went into the enemy's camp, thus keeping 
informed as to their movements, strength, etc. It may 
be interesting and instructive to my children to mention 
one or two of his experiences as illustrative of the perils 
of a scout. 

On one occasion in the fall of 1864 he, with two other 
scouts, crept between the enemy's pickets at night, 
after first hiding their own horses in a convenient thicket, 
and cautiously crept into the enemy's camp. Their 
purpose, as well as I remember, was, if possible, to 
capture a certain Federal officer in his tent. 

They approached close to the coveted tent (which 
they had previously located) without being detected, 
but found to their disappointment that it was surrounded 
by a strong cordon of guards (something unknown with 
us), which it would have been supreme folly to attack 
in the midst of their camp with any hope of making the 
coveted capture, even if they succeeded in capturing the 
guards, as it would have aroused the camp and resulted 
in their own capture or death. 

The next thing to do was to withdraw and escape 



200 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

as quickly as possible. Although everything had been 
quiet up to that moment, they suddenly discovered some 
movement from a part of the camp, which made their 
position perilous, if not for the moment hopeless. As 
they stealthily approached the main road leading 
through the camp, watching for a favorable moment 
to dart across it unobserved, a loaded wagon drawn by 
four large mules approached. Detection seemed cer- 
tain then, for they could not retrace their steps and 
they only had a few moments to determine what to do, 
but it was enough; their only hope was to pass out with 
this wagon, which they (in a whisper) decided to do. 
Crouching close by the roadside, as the wagon came up 
with their revolvers in hand they sprang up, one on 
each side of the driver, who, before he could realize 
the situation, was warned in a whisper, emphasized with 
two pistols at his head, that if he spoke or moved it 
meant death. Of course he was " struck dumb." He 
was then ordered to let his team proceed, and in this 
way they passed the camp sentinels, who did not hail 
them, thinking doubtless that the wagons were moving 
under orders. 

A short distance beyond the guards, and before any 
other wagon or troops came up, they ordered the driver 
to turn his team into an opening in the woods; pro- 
ceeding in the woods a short distance, until out of 
view from the road in the darkness, they quickly and 
quietly unhitched the mules, threw some of the contents 
of the wagon (they did not know then what) across 
their backs, and led the mules with their prisoner 
through the woods to the track by which they had 
entered the camp and which they now followed back 
to the spot where they had left their horses. By this 
time It was day, and, hurrying to elude pursuit, they 
reached camp in due time, hungry and sleepy, but with 
four large sleek fat mules and a Yankee sutler prisoner, 
who for the first time fully realized " where he was at." 

The capture proved to be a sutler with his stores, 
which he said he was moving to another location; of 
course without the faintest idea of locating his wagon 
and wares at a secluded spot in the woods, his mules in 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 201 

the hands of the " rebel " scouts, and himself in Libby 
prison. 

On another occasion, after having satisfied himself 
of the route which the couriers of the enemy were in 
the habit of taking, my brother crept into their lines 
and selected a favorable spot near the roadside, where 
he secreted himself at night and awaited the passing 
of the first fellow whom he might tal<:e to be the bearer 
of dispatches. He said experience had taught him that 
couriers usually rode alone, and at greater speed than 
the ordinary soldier, especially at night; thus enabling 
him to spot them. On this occasion everything was so 
quiet as the night wore on, and he became so benumbed 
with cold, that he was about to leave his hiding place, 
and retrace his steps through the pickets, when he heard 
the footsteps of a horse rapidly crossing the pontoon 
bridge which the enemy had made across the James 
River for communication between their forces on the 
north and south sides of the river. He was confident 
that the rider was the dispatch-bearer for whom he had 
so long been shivering in the cold, and that he would 
take the route past the spot where he was secreted. 
He accordingly left his hiding place and crouched close 
on the roadside. The rider approached, lowly humming 
a tune, and increasing his speed after crossing the 
bridge. As he was passing the spot Preston sprang in 
front of him, and seizing the bridle stopped the horse, 
while with the other hand he covered the rider with his 
pistol, and ordered him to throw up his hands, and 
dismount quickly and quietly. The horseman obeyed 
without the least controversy, and the next moment 
was marching from the road, a prisoner with his hands 
up in front of his captor, who led the horse a short 
distance, then halted a moment to disarm the prisoner, 
and proceeded to a place of safety, where he could be 
searched for the coveted dispatch. Imagine the scout's 
chagrin and disgust when instead of the dispatch he 
found the prisoner's pockets full of chips, or devices 
used by gamblers. The prisoner had been over the 
river indulging in a game of cards with some of his 
chums on that side until the " wee small hours " and 



202 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

was returning in happy mood when captured. The 
captor, In relating the Incident to me, said he felt so 
thoroughly chagrined and disgusted at his " water 
haul," that his first Impulse was to release the poor 
fellow, whose repining at fate had excited his sympathy, 
and content himself with keeping the fine horse, arms 
and accouterments, as a reward for the night's work; 
but this would never do, as the prisoner. If released, 
would of course reveal to the enemy the story and 
location of his capture and thus enable them to guard 
this road, so as to defeat future attempts on that line; 
whereas If held as a prisoner his fate would be as pro- 
found a mystery as the Identity of the fellow who " hit 
Billy Patterson," The horse, however, was a fine ani- 
mal, with splendid saddle, bridle, etc.; the arms of the 
best, — patent repeating carbine, revolver, etc. The 
prisoner's uniform and splendid equipment indicated 
clearly that he was more of a " sport " than a soldier. 

After being kindly treated, he agreed, as he was being 
taken to prison, to exchange his magnificent long cavalry 
boots with his captor, as he would have little use for 
them in prison. 

These two incidents, of many, are related simply to 
give some Idea of the life and perils of a scout, whom 
the enemy made every effort to capture, and who knew 
from their threats which reached his ears that if cap- 
tured he would receive no quarter. 

THE EVACUATION 

Sunday, the second day of April, 1865, dawned 
bright and clear; which was welcomed and appreciated 
by the men after the protracted cold and wet of the 
winter and early spring, as they were but scantily 
protected by the improvised tents, so-called, at old 
" Camp Gary," to which they had returned less than 
two weeks before, as already related. 

About midday it was so warm and bright that 
Apollas Luck, who In the tenderness of his brave soldier 
heart had striven in every way to comfort me by his 
constant presence and companionship since the death of 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 203 

my brother, proposed that we take our horses out under 
the hills about a mile distant in the direction of Rich- 
mond to nip any grass which they might find. 

While our horses were strolling along in search of 
anything they could find to eat, we were lounging on 
the hillsides. Richmond was in view, and everything 
as calm and quiet as a zephyr. We were impressed 
with the serenity of the surroundings, and talked about 
the absence of everything resembling war or the des- 
perate struggle which for four years had continued 
around the environments of the devoted city. Truly 
it was the ominous calm preceding the storm. 

Late in the evening we bridled our horses and re- 
turned to camp, where we gave them their scant feed 
of corn, and blanketed them as we thought for the 
night. I gathered up about half a dozen canteens and 
proceeded to the spring, a few hundred yards distant, 
for the water supply of our mess for the night and for 
picket duty at daylight the following morning, as was 
our custom, while Uncle John Flippo, as we called him, 
started the fire to cook our morsel of bread; which, 
however, was never cooked. On my way to the spring, 
just about sunset, a horseman dashed by at headlong 
speed In the direction of brigade headquarters; I took 
no special notice of him at the moment, thinking It was 
some fellow who had spent the day In the city and was 
returning with a full stomach and lighter heart than 
the rest of us. In about fifteen minutes I was returning 
with the canteens filled, and as I reached the top of 
the hill was amazed to see everything in confusion, 
the Improvised tents pulled to pieces, men mounted 
and rapidly forming by companies. I hastened for- 
ward, saddled up as quickly as possible, and In a few 
minutes was in line, just as the order to move^ forward 
was given, with no time to Inquire the meaning of it 
all. Nor did anyone know that we were ordered to 
move. 

We marched two or three hours east In the direction 
of Fort Harrison, and crossing the nine-mile road, if 
I remember correctly, halted about 9 P. M., dis- 
mounted and formed Into line of battle, with orders 



204 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

to make no noise. About midnight we were permitted 
to lie down in our tracks, keeping in line with hands 
on our carbines. Thus we remained on the wet ground, 
shivering as the night grew cold, until about the first 
streak of dawn, when we mounted noiselessly and pro- 
ceeded in nearly a direct line towards Richmond. 

While in line that night we whispered our respective 
opinions of the meaning of the movement, the prevail- 
ing opinion being that the enemy was advancing in our 
front and that about dawn we would rush forward to 
attack and surprise them. 

No one thought for a moment, or ventured the sug- 
gestion, of the evacuation of Richmond. The one and 
only thought we permitted ourselves to entertain in this 
connection was that it was our business to defend the 
beloved city, around which still clustered the hopes and 
destiny of the Confederacy. Just as the sun rose clear 
and bright we reached the outer earthworks below the 
city, when to our horror and surprise we saw a white 
flag on the top of the parapet by the roadside, two 
persons in citizens' dress standing by it, and a carriage 
near by. At the same moment a glance westward 
brought the city in full view except as it was enveloped 
by the dense smoke, which seemed to be rising from 
its every section; it needed no words to reveal to us 
that the hour of its doom had come. 

The white flag, the citizens, the carriage, meant that 
Mayor Mayo was only awaiting the advance of the 
enemy to surrender the city, if indeed, — from the ap- 
pearance of the conflagration and desolation, — anything 
of the devoted city would be left to surrender. For the 
first time during four years did the hearts of its heroic 
defenders sicken and sink in despair, at the desolate, 
hope-wrecking sight. 

Our column halted a moment, then passed by the 
mayor and the white flag, turned into the road, and at 
quickened gait headed straight for the doomed city. 

As the regiment passed on to the city. Jack Yar- 
brough, Gatewood Burnett and myself were ordered to 
proceed down the road in the opposite direction, with 
orders to keep in view of the regiment, which we were 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 205 

to signal, and retreat as the enemy advanced, keeping 
a sharp lookout to avoid capture by a flanking force. 
As we proceeded cautiously in the direction of the ad- 
vancing enemy, three Confederate infantrymen came 
walking rapidly to meet us with their muskets at 
shoulder. When about fifty yards from us they halted, 
dropped their guns, and holding up their hands shouted 
their surrender to us. Riding up to them and asking 
what they meant, they answered that we were Yankees, 
and that they might as well surrender without ceremony, 
as they were hopelessly cut off; at the same time point- 
ing to the enemy on their right and rear, from whom 
they were vainly attempting to escape. We assured 
them that we were friends, and bade them hurry for- 
ward and follow the track of our regiment. 

This they did, remarking, however, that it was use- 
less as they would be captured before reaching the city, 
and warning us that we would share the same fate if 
we did not retrace our steps immediately, — pointing to 
a force of the enemy on our right, which had not be- 
fore been seen by us. 

We retired slowly at first, and as the enemy advanced 
we rapidly passed these poor fellows, whom we were 
reluctantly compelled to leave to their fate. We sig- 
naled the enemy's advance and hurried on to avoid be- 
ing cut off, reaching the rear of our regiment just as the 
head of the column was stopped for the time by the 
mob which had massed in the streets, a way through 
which was forced only with the use of the sabers. 

Just at this juncture Burnett, whose family lived near 
my home, turned to me and with tremulous voice asked, 
" What in God's name must I do, you know how help- 
less my wife and children are; what will become of them 
if I continue with our army; they will be in the enemy's 
lines and I will never see them again; I cannot desert, 
but for God's sake tell me what to do?" I knew of 
the wife and several small children, for whose comfort 
and protection the Relief Committee of our county had 
to provide when necessary, and I could see the tumult 
of his soul, struggling to decide which in this tremendous 
crisis was the path of duty, — to follow our army or 



206 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

return to the wife and children, who would need his 
protection as never before. The enemy were pressing 
rapidly on us, the mob filled the streets and obstructed 
our passage to the bridge, while the flames on either 
side were nearly if not actually lapping over our heads. 
There was no time for hesitation or reflection. I an- 
swered Burnett, " I cannot advise you, as I have no 
wife or children as you have. My duty is plain; I 
shall follow General Lee, while he leads, or until I fall. 
You must decide this matter." A moment later, as 
our column moved slowly through the mob, Burnett, 
turning his horse to the right, said, " I have done the 
best I could, but I cannot forsake my family; good-by," 
and waving us farewell, rode off and proceeded home, 
where I frequently met him on my return from Appo- 
mattox. He was a good soldier, nor could we ever 
reproach him. When it was " all over," in referring 
to it he said he felt that he only did his duty. 

As our column moved slowly through the mob, using 
sabers to clear the way, this mass of every age, sex, and 
color, wild with excitement, and many laden with 
plunder, would block our way at every turn. The 
streets and sidewalks were filled with boxes, barrels, 
timbers, and goods of every kind and description. As 
barrels, boxes, etc., were rolled from the stores, the 
mob would burst them open and scramble wildly for 
the contents, apparently regardless of whether they be- 
came victims of the flames, were trampled beneath our 
horses' feet, or fell under the blows of our sabers, in 
their wild greed for loot. 

In one of the warehouses they found a quantity of 
whisky stored, and as the barrels were rolled into the 
street they were met by those outside, promptly burst 
open with clubs, the contents literally filling the gutters 
as from a shower of rain. Numbers of them grabbed 
up tubs and buckets, dipped to the brim the fiery liquid, 
which the more generous of them freely dispensed 
to our men with the tin cans, cups, etc., lying around. 
This served as the only breakfast we had; it was better 
than none, and in keeping with the surroundings. 

As W. H. Farinholt, of Company C (who was at 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 207 

the time acting as courier for General Ewell), was 
riding down Main Street hurrying towards the bridge 
he happened to see a man coming out of Mitchell & 
Tyler's jewelry store, with his hands full of watches and 
jewelry. Ordering him to stop and return his plunder, 
which the fellow showed no disposition to do, as he 
started off with it, Farinholt, not wishing to kill him, 
rode up on the sidewalk, and standing in his stirrups, 
dealt him a fearful blow on the head with his heavy army 
revolver, which sent him stunned and sprawling to the 
pavement, the jewelry falling and scattering around 
him. Farinholt jumped from his horse, quickly gath- 
ered up the jewelry, and opening the door dropped it in 
a heap on the floor, where he had to leave it, and hur- 
ried to the bridge, which he reached and crossed while 
it was in flames. This is only one of the almost 
numberless incidents of the kind which might be men- 
tioned. 

After the head of our column had reached and were 
crossing the bridge, Yarbrough and myself saw that 
from our position in the rear, as the mob passed in our 
front and the enemy pressed upon us behind, we were 
in imminent danger of being cut off from the bridge 
by the flames and the mob combined, and falling into 
the enemy's hands. We were expecting to see the bridge 
burst in flames every moment, which would seal our 
fate; nor were we mistaken. As our only hope to reach 
it in time, we determined to risk a short cut to the 
bridge out and off the main body of the mob; accord- 
ingly we turned towards the basin, and soon found our 
way blocked at a slip. The only way to cross the span 
of about twenty feet was over a plank walk about two 
feet wide. It was perilous, but it was too late to .re- 
trace our steps, and I determined to risk it. My horse 
rebelled at first, but spurring him forward I forced him 
on the narrow walk, which he cleared with a plunge. 
Yarbrough followed and we both dashed to the bridge 
and rushed over it as the flames were bursting from it. 

Our regiment had halted on the Manchester side 
with the brigade, and while the bridge was burning we 
quietly gazed on the devoted city, which seemed doomed 



208 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

to destruction, the furious flames leaping from side to 
side as at every moment they burst qut afresh. The 
mob was in undisputed possession now, unless checked 
by the enemy as they moved in, which, to their credit, 
I believe they did as promptly as possible, and which 
alone probably saved the city from total destruction. 

In the river below the bridge several vessels and 
some small boats, along with the two ironclad gunboats 
which had only recently been completed, and from which 
we had hoped for great things, were moored about mid- 
stream with smoke rising from them, which told us 
that they too were to share in the conflagration. As 
we watched the smoke slowly rising from them, sud- 
denly we felt the earth quiver and quake simultaneously 
with a deafening roar, as a column of water, fire, smoke, 
and debris shot skyward. As the magazines exploded 
the destruction of the gunboats was complete, while 
with the roaring flames, leaping higher and higher in 
their mad fury as they swept onward in their wild, un- 
checked career, was mingled the deafening thunder of 
the exploding magazines in the city. 

Stunned and bewildered at the sickening sight, we 
felt at the moment as though the end of the world had 
come, while the river itself seemed to furnish fuel to 
the flames. The bridge, the city, the river, enveloped 
in fire and smoke, while at intervals the shouts of the 
wild-surging and now unrestrained mob reached our 
ears, presented a scene, and awakened emotions, which 
live in memory but which language is powerless to de- 
scribe. 

None who witnessed will ever forget or fitly describe 
it, while it will remain vividly engraved on memory's 
tablet. Beloved Richmond was lost, but would not the 
God of battles spare it and its heroic people from de- 
struction? How our hearts sank within us! For four 
years the hostile hosts had surged around its environ- 
ments, only to be hurled back in confusion and dismay 
by the heroic band who said, " Hitherto shalt thou come 
but no farther." 

The flower of the world's chivalry had poured out 
their life-blood as a willing libation upon your altars, 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 209 

when your hilltops were a sheet of defiant flame and 
your valleys turned to rivulets of blood. 

Our hearts, our hopes, our prayers, our tears, 
Our faith triumphant o'er our fears, — 
Were all with thee, were all with thee! 

We love best that for which we have sacrificed most; 
and so we loved Richmond more than all the cities of 
our Southland. For four years It had been the coveted 
prize of our foes, and the storm-center of the contending 
hosts. Our fathers and elder brothers rushed to her 
rescue, and as through these years of sorrow and blood 
they had fallen as fall only the brave, their younger 
sons and brothers had taken their places In the cause 
rendered doubly dear to them, and with deathless de- 
termination to continue to the last extremity. 

For Freedom's battle, once begun, 
Bequeath'd from bleeding sire to son. 

More blood, I believe, had been shed in defense of 
this capital city of the Confederacy than In all the wars 
previously waged on this American continent since its 
discovery by Columbus. Every battle fought by the 
Army of Northern Virginia, from Manassas in 1861, 
including Sharpsburg and bloody Gettysburg, to the fall 
of the city on April 3, 1865, had been in its defense. 
General Lee had said that " Richmond was never so 
safe as when her defenders were farthest away." Our 
children can never fully appreciate our love for Rich- 
mond, sealed as it was with so much priceless blood. 
Her hearts, her homes, her arms were ever open to us, 
feeding us when famished, cheering us when homesick 
and weary, opening her homes to receive while her 
matrons and maidens became ministering angels to 
our wounded and dying. May the bonds of sympathy 
which so tenderly bound together her heroic people and 
her defenders be transmitted and cherished as a sacred 
heritage to their children. 

When the destruction of the bridge was accom- 



210 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

plished, with emotions awakened by such memories well- 
ing up in our bosoms we turned our backs upon Rich- 
mond and left it to its doom. 

It was all so sudden we could scarcely realize that 
Richmond had fallen, and as the men discussed the 
situation and the prospect before us, we took consola- 
tion in the hope that as the enemy would now necessarily 
be drawn into the interior and away from his fleet and 
base of supplies, in some way, through the matchless 
genius of Lee, we would eventually triumph over our 
foes, and the Army of Northern Virginia would yet 
return victorious and redeem our capital city; when 
Virginia would ever be the brightest star in the constel- 
lation of the Confederacy and Richmond the richest 
jewel in her crown. 

THE MARCH 

Knowing that the destruction of the bridge would 
prevent any rapid pursuit of the enemy, about ten 
o'clock on Monday morning, April 3, 1865, we pro- 
ceeded on the march to join the main body of the army, 
which had moved up from Petersburg the previous day. 
Passing through a part of Chesterfield county we camped 
about midnight, weary and hungry, in Powhatan county. 
None of us (except perhaps the few who happened to 
have a few crusts of bread in their haversacks when we 
hastily left Camp Gary the previous Sunday even- 
ing) had tasted food for thirty-six hours. We camped 
in a pine wood, kindled fires, and hastened to search for 
water to mix what little flour or corn meal we may have 
been fortunate enough to have in our haversacks when 
we left camp. 

After a long search in the darkness, we found a little 
muddy water in a small ditch. We mixed the last 
morsel of meal we had in a small frying pan, which I 
had been fortunate enough to take with me, but wh'ch 
I did not take the precaution to wash first, ow ng to 
the scarcity of water. Holding the pan over the fire 
long enough to parch a few half-cooked cakes of bread, 
we divided among our mess and proceeded hastily to 
devour. Imagine our horror when we found that in 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 211 

the darkness and our haste we had mixed about equal 
quantities of meal and horsehair (the result of failing 
to wash the pan, which had been hanging from my 
saddle since the previous day, our horses shedding 
their hair at the time). 

Half-starved and desperate, we taxed our ingenuity 
to eat that bread, while the hair stuck in our teeth and 
throats, but our stomachs rebelled and refused to re- 
ceive it. Disgusted, desperate, and anything but ami- 
able, we cast away our last morsel and dropped on the 
ground to relieve in sleep the few remaining hours of the 
night. The language used by some in expressing their 
opinions of the " cause and effect " of that supper was 
not such as they had been taught at Sunday school. 

Early in the morning of Tuesday, April 4th, we 
saddled up and proceeded on our march. Harkerson's 
Battery, which was attached to our brigade, had, before 
leaving its camp in the woods, thrown out a lot of 
shells to lighten the caissons, which the half-starved 
horses could scarcely pull through the mud even when 
empty. This battery moved on in front of our regi- 
ment and soon got stuck in the mud as usual. As many 
men as could be of assistance dismounted, and helped 
to pull the guns out of the mud, while our company, in 
the rear of the regiment at the time, waited impatiently 
for the guns to be extricated. Our venerable old Cap- 
tain Allen in his impatience dismounted, and leaving 
his horse in the road, where we were grouped in rather 
careless fashion, started to walk forward to the guns in 
the mire. 

He had proceeded but a short distance when sud- 
denly from the woods about a quarter of a mile in 
our rear, which we had left a half-hour before, came 
the " bang, bang, bang " of bursting shells. Thinking 
at the moment that the enemy had come upon us and 
opened their guns on us, every man of us instinctively 
spurred his horse forward, almost riding over Capt. 
Allen, who stopped in the road and ordered a halt, his 
own horse, though riderless, following us until coming 
up to his rider. I shall never forget with what disgust 
and indignation Capt. Allen rebuked us for our thought- 



212 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

lessness and disorder, as he asked us If it were possible 
that we could rush off with his horse following us, and 
leave him to his fate In the road. 

Of course such a thought never entered the minds 
of any of us. We were simply acting from thoughtless 
momentary impulse, as we expected every moment the 
enemy's well directed shells to be tearing through our 
column. It was a false alarm, however: the woods 
had taken fire at the spot where our battery had thrown 
out the shells, which exploded as the fire reached them. 
But even in our humiliation we could not help chuckling 
at the ludicrous and embarrassing position of Capt. 
Allen, as supreme disgust usurped the place of his pro- 
verbial amiability. For a few moments it came very 
near causing a temporary stampede, as the most trivial 
things sometimes do under exciting circumstances. 

This horse of his had made a remarkable record. 
His first rider had fallen dead from his saddle at 
Sharpsburg, the horse escaping unhurt and keeping his 
place In column after the fall of his gallant young mas- 
ter. Capt. Allen, becoming his owner, had himself 
been subsequently unhorsed and captured In a charge 
on the enemy, while the horse wheeled and escaped, and 
was kept ready for his rider when he was exchanged. 
Again, three days after this incident, if I remember cor- 
rectly, one of our officers had lost his horse In an en- 
gagement and In some way at the moment borrowed 
and mounted this horse, when he fell from his saddle 
severely wounded, the horse coming out of the fight un- 
scathed as usual, and bearing Capt. Allen safely through 
to Appomattox, and thence home. It seemed certain, 
therefore, that If his rider could keep in his saddle on 
this horse he was safe from capture, at least, though not 
from death. 

Proceeding on our way as fast as we could keep the 
battery moving, which was continually stuck In the mud 
up to the hubs, we reached the Appomattox River about 
dark. 

Shortly before reaching the river a detail of eighteen 
men, myself among them, In charge of a sergeant from 
another company, were ordered to remain behind and 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 213 

follow about a mile in rear of the column and arrest 
any of the men whom we met returning to their homes 
before crossing the river, as many were inclined to do 
from sheer hopelessness and hunger. Luther Broaddus 
and myself from our company were together, and soon 
noticed that the others were disposed to widen the 
breach between our detachment and our main column. 
F'inally we urged the sergeant to move forward and 
keep nearer our column; then, halting, he informed us 
they had determined to return home, and if we were 
not disposed to join them we could report their move- 
ments after crossing the river. We were under his 
orders, and could but obey; we were powerless to do 
otherwise. Waving us their adieus and best wishes 
the sergeant and fifteen went homeward, but Luther 
Broaddus and myself returned hastily and reported the 
situation as our column halted at the bridge. 

I then learned for the first time how the gnawing 
pangs of hunger would cause the bravest men to be- 
come hopeless and desperate. Crossing the river into 
Amelia County after nightfall, we soon joined the main 
army of General Lee and camped for the remainder of 
the night. Our horses had had no food since Sunday 
evening — forty-eight hours — and we knew could not 
hold out without food much longer. Therefore, before 
lying down to rest many of us went out in the dark- 
ness foraging, and soon found a barn well filled with 
corn and fodder. Against the threats and protest of 
the owner, who refused to open the doors, we pried off 
the weather boarding and loaded all we could carry 
across our saddles, returned to camp, and gave our 
starving horses all they could devour. 

That forage was opportune, sustaining them through 
the succeeding five days, during which time neither 
horses nor men ever had half a feed. Our mess had 
exhausted our scant rations the previous night in the 
woeful experiment with the horsehair mixture, and had 
to rely upon sleep alone to relieve our hunger. Before 
lying down we noticed rockets shooting high into the 
air in quick succession, apparently a few miles ahead. 
We were unused to fireworks of that description, and 



214 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

could but be attracted by the beauty of the display; 
but we felt that they were more ominous than beautiful, 
because we knew it was the enemy's signal in our front, 
a foreboding which only awaited the morrow to con- 
firm. 

For two days we had not come in contact with the 
enemy, who did not pursue us on the march from 
Richmond, but we well knew from the direction of the 
rockets that the coming morn would open with bloody 
work for us, as he blocked the way. 

About sunrise on Wednesday morning, April 5th, we 
were in the saddle and ready to move. As we formed 
into column we noticed a line of smoke rising about a 
mile to our left. The enemy's cavalry had swooped 
down, captured and fired our wagon train. General 
Gary, with his proverbial dash and celerity, led the bri- 
gade straight for them at a gallop. In about ten min- 
utes we were upon and in the midst of them. Our 
prompt and sudden arrival was a surprise, certainly, to 
many of them who had dismounted and were pillaging 
and setting fire to the wagons. As they hustled out 
many fell in the road before our pistol fire at close range, 
or were captured, the others retiring hastily to their 
main body, which had formed in a body of woods on 
a hill about a half-mile distant. We pursued, following 
the road, and were met with a galling fire from the 
woods as we ascended the hill. After reaching the 
level the other regiments of our brigade dismounted, 
formed hastily, advanced through the woods and in a 
few minutes met the full force and fire of the enemy. 
Our regiment remained mounted and exposed to the 
fire of a part of the enemy's line, which we were unable 
to return effectively, while they were concealed in the 
woods. For about half an hour the fire was hot and 
furious, both sides tenaciously holding their respective 
positions. 

The enemy's fire developed their largely superior 
force. We ascertained from the prisoners that our 
small brigade was engaging Gregg's Division of cavalry. 
As they gradually discovered our position, mounted in 
the road, which we had concealed as much as possible 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 215 

by leaning low on our horses and not returning their 
fire, they poured volleys more and more upon us. 

At this juncture our regiment withdrew and, forming 
under the hill, broke down a fence on the roadside and 
charged across the open field with a yell, striking them 
on their flank, while simultaneously our line on foot 
charged them in full front in the woods. 

We forced them from their position, and followed 
them closely as they suddenly withdrew, leaving many 
of their dead where they fell in the woods. Retiring 
about half a mile they formed again, and again our line 
advanced on foot, repeating the first attack with the 
same result. This continued through the day, the enem^ 
forming at every half-mile or mile, stubbornly resisting 
our advance at every turn and yielding his position only 
when we forced him to close quarters. Thus we fought 
our way mile after mile until evening, when our men 
were becoming exhausted from fatigue and hunger, and 
our cartridge boxes were getting empty. 

Without reinforcements our position was becoming 
dangerous, if the enemy should summon his courage, re- 
verse conditions, and press us back. But late in the 
evening, when our ammunition was about exhausted as 
well as ourselves, a part of FItzhugh Lee's Division 
came to our assistance. As our line, worn out with 
fatigue and hunger from the incessant fighting since 
early morning, dropped back about a quarter of a mile 
to replenish our exhausted cartridge boxes, our friends, 
whose arrival was so timely, took our place and pre- 
pared to continue the advance on the enemy. The 
changing of positions occupied about half an hour, dur- 
ing which time the firing ceased. 

The enemy, instead of advancing on us, quickly took 
advantage of the situation and withdrew from our front 
about a mile, where our advance column soon discovered 
them occupying a strong position on a range of hills 
across from Amelia Springs, and apparently placing a 
battery of artillery In position. As our dismounted 
skirmish line advanced, led by the gallant Capt. W. C. 
Nunn of the King and Queen troop, Fifth Virginia 
Cavalry, it was met with a withering fire, and one of 



^16 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

our officers fell from his horse dead. His lifeless body 
was quickly placed across his saddle and borne to the 
rear; as It passed us we were told, If I remember cor- 
rectly, that it was Capt. Cunningham (I do not remem- 
ber his regiment) . About this time General Rosser 
rode up, and pressing to the front in full view of the 
enemy, joined a group of officers who seemed to be 
scanning the formidable force and position on the hills 
opposite. 

At this juncture the gallant General James Bearing 
came up at the head of his " Laurel Brigade " of 
Rosser's Division, pressed to the front, and if I remem- 
ber correctly, exchanged a few words with his chief, 
who seemed to us to point him to the enemy on the 
hills. Quick as a flash Bearing ordered his front col- 
umn to form, and, ringing out the " charges," dashed 
forward, himself leading, as he always did when the foe 
was In front. A cavalry charge on such a position 
seemed desperate, but nothing daunted Bearing, and It 
would be a craven indeed who would not follow when 
he led. Bashing with a yell up the road and through 
a narrow cut where it pierces a hill, and swinging out 
on the summit, his column swept upon their flank and 
Into their midst. The enemy broke in confusion with but 
slight resistance, so sudden and unexpected was the 
shock. In their confusion they suffered heavily as they 
were shot and cut down at close quarters by Bearing's 
men. This charge was superb and characteristic of 
Bearing, who was always superb. We had heard much 
of his splendid genius and dash, but it was the first time 
I had ever seen him in action, nor will I ever forget 
the inspiration with which we were thrilled. 

Following up this charge our regiment was ordered 
forward to press the enemy. As we were hurrying 
along the narrow cut in the road between the hills we 
found it strewn with the enemy's dead and wounded. 
I shall never forget the appearance of one poor young 
fellow lying in the narrowest part of the road, who 
seemed to have literally caught a shower of bullets and 
was unable to move any part of his body. Pale, help- 
less, and apparently too weak to speak, his appealing 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 217 

look pleaded with us louder than words could do, not 
to ride over him. Instantly two of our men leaped from 
their saddles and tried to move him from the narrow 
cut to the roadside, but found both his arms and legs so 
broken and shattered that it was cruel to take hold of 
them; two more quickly went to their assistance, and 
jerking a blanket from one of their saddles, placed their 
hands under his body and slipped the blanket under 
him as gently as possible; then taking it by the corners 
the four men bore him down the hill to the roadside, 
where they tenderly laid him, while one of them sought 
a surgeon. I do not think he spoke a word, as he was 
doubtless too weak from loss of blood, but his pale, 
pleading face and appealing look was enough to stop, 
by common consent and without orders for the time, 
our pursuit of the enemy, until he could be borne to the 
roadside and cared for. We knew that every moment 
lost at such a crisis was fatal to our successful pursuit, 
and would give the enemy time to rally and re-form 
their shattered lines under cover of the neighboring 
woods which the delay enabled them to reach, but the 
enemy had better escape than brave men ride over and 
crush out the lingering sparks of life in a mangled 
and helpless foe. After removing the wounded from 
the narrow cut, we proceeded until checked by the 
enemy's fire from the woods in which they had formed, 
when nightfall brought an end to the hard and bloody 
day's work. I have never known whether or not this 
poor fellow's tide of life ebbed quickly out, as I imagine 
it did, but his memory recalls this and numerous other 
similar incidents on both sides. I have thought that 
England's poet must have caught a prophetic vision 
of this great struggle between American soldiers when 
he wrote : 

The soldier braves death for a fanciful wreath 

In glory's romantic career ; 
But he raises the foe, when in battle laid low, 

And bathes every wound with a tear. 

Seldom, I think, were the friendly shades of night 



218 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

more welcomed by weary, thirsty mortals, famished 
almost to desperation. 

For two days scarcely any of us had eaten a morsel 
of food, and since early morning we had been without 
a drop of water. The day had been spent in one con- 
tinuous series of attacks and advances, always forcing 
the enemy from his position, but, unaided as our small 
brigade was, we had not sufficient force at any time to 
rout the heavy columns which the enemy always had in 
reserve to mass against us and block our way. Our 
reinforcements came too late; and then the incident just 
related and the gathering darkness prevented us from 
reaping the full results of Bearing's splendid charge at 
the close of the day. 

We halted and remained by our horses about an hour, 
ready to meet the enemy if he should advance in the 
darkness. During this time some of the men started 
fires to cook what little rations a few had left, or had 
been able to secure. I had none, nor had I tasted food 
since Monday night in the woeful effort to masticate 
the mixture of horsehair and com meal. One of the 
men gave me a slice of pork which he had cut from a 
hog he had shot on the roadside that day. While I 
was warming this over the fire on the end of a stick, 
the pickets exchanged a few shots in our front, and we 
were ordered to mount. I devoured the slice of raw 
pork without salt or bread, and in an hour was sick. 
My eyes had become sore and inflamed the preceding 
day, and the pain was now so intensified by the dust, 
powder, and smoke of the day that I was in agony, with 
fever and without water. 

After an hour or two (there being no further move- 
ment of the enemy) we ventured to unsaddle our horses, 
as the only relief for them without food, keeping sad- 
dles and trappings ready to buckle on at a moment's 
notice. Sick, suffering, thirsty from fever, and ex- 
hausted, I dropped on the damp ground about mid- 
night, almost in a state of despair. A few feet from 
me I noticed a man still and apparently asleep, with 
a large blanket spread over him and room to share it 
with me. Thinking it was one of our company, I 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 219 

quietly moved up by his side under the blanket. Just 
as I was about ready for dreamland I found I was lying 
on one of his hands, which, as I removed, I dis- 
covered was cold to the touch and stiff. Taking 
the blanket from his face, I found that my companion 
was a dead Yankee who had been covered with a blan- 
ket, as was customary when there was no time for burial. 
He had evidently been left there where he fell, as was 
the case during that day with numbers of their dead. 
I replaced the blanket, and moved a few feet to my 
former position, where I remained, — whether in sleep or 
delirium from fever, or both, I never knew, — until 
aroused about dawn on Thursday, April 6th, when, 
after pulling open my eyes, which were sealed from sore- 
ness, I moved forward with my company on another 
day's work. I think it was about noon when, as we 
approached the " high bridge " near Farmville, the 
enemy was reported in force below the bridge. We 
were ordered forward at a gallop, and were soon upon 
them. General Bearing, with his usual dash, had just 
led a charge into their midst, the enemy making desper- 
ate resistance at close quarters. As the fight waxed 
furious. General Bearing met General Read, who was 
in command of the Federal force, and the two engaged 
in a duel with pistols at close range, resulting in the 
death of the latter. When General Read fell from his 
horse and the reins from his grasp, the animal rushed 
wildly forward and was seized by Captain W. C. Nunn 
of the King and Queen troop, Fifth Cavalry, who was 
near the spot (as he always was in the thickest of the 
fight). It was a fine animal with splendid equipment, 
including saddle, pistols, holsters, field glasses, etc., be- 
coming the rank of a general, and in splendid condition 
to bear his new rider safely through to Appomattox 
and thence home. In less than half an hour, I think, 
the enemy, after having suffered heavily in killed and 
wounded, surrendered, except a few who galloped off 
and escaped. 

Our triumph was complete but dearly bought. Our 
loss, though much less than the enemy's in numbers, 
was severe, and included the gallant, chivalrous, and in- 



220 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

trepid Dearing, who fell mortally wounded after hav- 
ing killed his antagonist, General Read. Also the gal- 
lant Colonel Boston of the Fifth Regiment, Virginia 
Cavalry, who fell with a bullet through his brain, and 
whose dead body was promptly placed across his saddle 
and borne from the field. The number of prominent 
officers killed on both sides before the enemy yielded 
testifies to the desperate character of this short and 
bloody hand-to-hand encounter at High Bridge. From 
the observations of a private, which in such a conflict 
as this are limited, it seemed to me to be a desperate 
struggle between Confederate cavalry and Federal 
infantry. 

When the din and confusion of the shock of battle 
subsided, someone remarked to Captain Allen that our 
victory was complete, when in tones of sadness unusual 
for him on such an occasion, he replied: "Yes, com- 
plete, but dearly bought. Any victory is dearly bought 
that costs the life of Dearing." "What! is Dearing 
dead? " " Mortally wounded," he replied; " they have 
just taken him to yonder grove to die." This announce- 
ment chilled us as for the moment we bowed our heads 
in sorrow, and the men murmured, " What a loss, what 
a shame!" The loss of Dearing would have been a 
calamity at any time, but most of all now, when we 
needed most such dauntless spirits; for it was at just 
such a crisis as we had now reached that 

" One blast from his bugle horn 
Were worth a thousand men." 

Truly knighthood lost a flower, chivalry a type, when 
noble, gallant, dashing Dearing fell and was borne by 
loving hands to the grateful shades of a friendly grove, 
to breathe out the only life he had to give to the cause 
dearer to him than life. He lingered a few days, and 
was borne to Lynchburg, where he died. Space forbids 
a recital here of the splendid and brilliant career of the 
young officer, which is written in lines of light and 
beauty on almost every page of the history of the Army 
of Northern Virginia, and of the Newbern expedition 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 221 

in North Carolina. He fell in one of the last hours of 
victory, before the star of the Confederacy went down 
to rise no more. His native county of Campbell, Vir- 
ginia, would honor itself to erect a monument to this 
noble and brilliant son. 

The battle over, the enemy in our hands, no time was 
lost in forming the prisoners (who I suppose were of 
General Read's brigade) into columns in such order as 
was most convenient to proceed without delay. They 
were necessarily a burden and source of weakness to 
us at this stage of our retreat, but there was nothing 
else to do. During this time Captain Nunn hurriedly 
sought a resting place for the bodies of both Colonel 
Boston (his late chief) and General Read, which were 
placed under the same tree, each wrapped in a blanket 
for his winding sheet, and buried in separate graves; 
General Read's horse meanwhile standing with empty 
saddle by his late master. An hour before they were 
mortal enemies, in deadly conflict; both had fallen at 
their posts, as brave men fall, life's bars and stripes 
with them were over now, and they sleep together in 
death. 

Within little more than an hour, perhaps, from the 
time we met the enemy we proceeded on our way (I 
knew not in what direction). As we were passing by 
the prisoners, who were massed in the road, we were 
ordered to halt, and I noticed one of the prisoners 
wiping the perspiration from his face with one hand, 
while with the other he was still bearing a very large 
and beautiful and, apparently, perfectly new regimental 
flag, of pale-blue silk, with the coat of arms of a State 
in the center, surrounded by a motto in gold. Attracted 
by its cleanliness and beauty, I was trying to make out 
the motto, when a chaplain asked Captain Nunn if he 
might venture to offer prayer. Permission was promptly 
granted to proceed. Removing his hat, he raised his 
arm for attention, and we bowed our heads in rever- 
ence. He had scarcely reached the end of his first sen- 
tence when one of our men, more alert and less reverent 
perhaps than the others, interrupted by yelling to Cap- 
tain Nunn: " Look, Captain, look! " We all looked — 



222 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

to see a body of the enemy's cavalry approaching as 
they rounded a turn in the road about a hundred yards 
off. "Hold on, Chaplain; no time for praying! By 
zounds! charge 'em, men! " yelled Captain Nunn, as he 
drew his saber, and without further orders or ceremony 
headed straight for the enemy, followed by the men 
nearest him at full speed in pellmell fashion, there being 
no time for regular formation. 

The effect on the enemy was instantaneous, — they 
changed front promptly and galloped off to avoid 
another collision. They had evidently not forgotten 
their experience at close quarters an hour before. It 
was doubtless a reconnoitering party who were satisfied 
with having " located the enemy." We on our part 
were satisfied to abandon pursuit and press on with the 
prisoners, as the enemy were uncomfortably close 
on us. 

Passing by the prisoners we proceeded at a gallop in 
the direction of a heavy musketry firing a mile or two 
distant, which now suddenly reached our ears. As we 
neared the scene of the engagement we halted, dis- 
mounted quickly, and leaving our horses in the main 
road in charge of the leaders (every fourth man was 
a " leader," whose duties were to take charge of the 
horses and hold or lead them as occasion required when 
we were fighting on foot) , we formed line and proceeded 
at double-quick about a quarter of a mile in an open 
field, and took position behind a rail fence. In a few 
minutes the heavy firing from the woods in our front, 
from which we were expecting the enemy, suddenly 
ceased, and we were ordered to rush back to our horses 
as rapidly as possible. These we reached just in time 
to escape capture, for the enemy seemed to be all around 
us as we dashed out in the only direction open to us. 
We then discovered that we were at or near Sailor's 
Creek, and that nearly all of Ewell's Corps had been 
surrounded and captured when the firing ceased so 
suddenly in the woods. We had arrived too late to 
succor Ewell in the struggle to extricate his corps from 
its desperate position, and barely escaped the same fate 
ourselves. 



CHAPTER XII 

HISTORICAL ADDRESS BY J. RYLAND, SR. 

The following address, historic of Company K, 
Thirty-fourth Virginia Volunteers, was prepared by 
Josiah Ryland, an officer of the company, and read at 
the reunion at Bruington, King and Queen County, Va., 
on the Fourth of July, 1884. It was published in The 
Baltimore Baptist, in order that it might be preserved 
by the members and friends of the old company: 

The spring of 1861 saw the conservative, and hith- 
erto quiet, State of Virginia converted into a military 
camp. From the mountains to the sea there was uni- 
versal preparation for war. It would be needless now 
to give in detail the reasons that forced the conviction 
upon the Southern mind that the election of Abraham 
Lincoln to the presidency was virtually a dissolution of 
the Union. South Carolina, Florida, Mississippi, Ala- 
bama, Georgia, and Louisiana seceded in rapid succes- 
sion. A provisional government was formed in Mont- 
gomery on the 4th of February, with Jefferson Davis 
as President, and Alex. H. Stephens as Vice-President. 
All efforts at pacification had failed, and nothing seemed 
to be left but an appeal to arms. If the seceded States 
w^ere to be brought back by coercion, Virginians could 
not look on with calmness and indifference while armies 
from the North marched through their borders for this 
purpose. 

Between the 20th of April and the 7th of May the 
company began to be organized which was first known 
as the King and Queen Artillery, but afterwards as 
Company K, 34th Virginia Infantry. On the 30th of 
April we had forty-six men enrolled, and the first squad 
drill was conducted in the yard at Stevensville Academy, 
under Josiah ("Pat") Ryland and Alexander F. 
Bagby, both of whom had been trained at the Virginia 
Military Institute. There were twenty men in ranks, 

223 



224 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

and for nearly an hour that morning, and another that 
evening, we took our first lessons in the art of war. 
Colonel (afterwards Captain) John R. Bagby, who 
was the leading spirit in getting up the company, was 
at this time in Baltimore on business; and as the fight 
had just taken place there on the streets between some 
of the citizens and a regiment of Federal troops, ap- 
prehensions were entertained that he might be forcibly 
detained. 

May the 7th. — There was an immense gathering at 
the Courthouse for the purpose of drilling the militia 
of the county. Colonel Bagby had returned, and in the 
afternoon a meeting of our company was called in the 
Courthouse. We were now sixty-eight strong. Colonel 
Bagby was called to the chair, and John W. Ryland 
appointed secretary. A committee consisting of Colonel 
Bagby, Josiah ("Pat") Ryland, Dr. William T. 
Fleet, Edward Bagby, A. F. Bagby, and the writer, was 
appointed to draft rules for the organization of the 
company. This committee met that night at the resi- 
dence of Colonel Bagby and discharged this duty. 

May the 8th, at 3 P. M. — The company met in the 
Academy, and the constitution was adopted. Where- 
upon John R. Bagby, upon motion of the writer, was 
elected captain by acclamation; Josiah (" Pat ") Ryland 
ist lieutenant; A. F. Bagby, 2d; Josiah Ryland, 3d; 
Benjamin Walker, 4th; Edward Bagby was chosen sec- 
retary; George Didlake, treasurer; Dr. William T. 
Fleet, surgeon; and Rev. R. H. Land, chaplain. W. T. 
Haynes, Douglas Muire, John Bagby, Jr., and William 
Myer were appointed sergeants, and John W. Ryland, 
E. F. Acree, Boliver Lumpkin, and Joseph Cosby, cor- 
porals. The company was then divided into squads and 
drilled for an hour. The first and second lieutenants 
were sent over to Richmond to procure uniforms, and 
returned with a supply of gray cloth and military caps. 
The work of drilling was now pushed with vigor. 

Tuesday, May 21st. — The company met, sixty 
strong, all in uniform. Under the direction of Colonel 
Robert Gresham, the election of officers was confirmed, 
the company inspected, and certificates duly sent to 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 225 

Governor Letcher. The uniforms had been made al- 
most entirely by the young ladies of the community. 

Thursday, May 23d. — Virginia cast her vote for the 
ordinance of secession. At our precinct, Stevensville, 
there was not a vote against it. The same day, the 
writer and Sergeant W. T. Haynes left for Richmond, 
at the request of the company, to endeavor to secure a 
light battery of four guns. ' 

On this trip the writer met for the first time Major 
General R. E. Lee, who was soon to become the central 
figure of our struggle. The General said it would be 
impossible to supply the demand for guns, and urged 
that the company should equip itself with muskets, or 
even with shotguns, if necessary. With much disap- 
pointment, and some hesitation, the writer suggested 
that shotguns would avail but little against the long- 
range weapons of the enemy. Looking around for a 
moment with a benignant smile playing over his fea- 
tures, he replied: "Sir, your people had better write 
to Mr. Lincoln and ask him to postpone this thing for a 
few months, until you can get ready for him." The 
answer was promptly made: "General, we will use 
I the shotguns," and the modest lieutenant retired in good 
/ order. A few days after this the captain left for Rich- 
1 mond, and the first lieutenant for Gloucester Point, to 
\^rrange for our departure for the field. 

"Wednesday, May 29th. — We met at Stevensville at 
3 o'clock, eighty-three men in ranks, and had a general 
drill. The whole community turned out to see us for 
the last time. Tears and ice cream flowed freely. This 
was our first night in barracks. Religious services were 
conducted at 8 o'clock by Rev. Messrs. R. H. Land and 
Isaac Diggs. The excitement of the occasion was not 
promotive of sleep. 

Thursday, May 30th. — At 4:30 A. M. the roll was 
called; all were present and in good trim. We marched 
to Mantapike, and there embarked on the schooner 
Way. Loud cheers were raised as we drifted out into 
the channel, and then a solemn prayer was offered by 
Dr. S. S. Henley. At 12 we were transferred to the 
steamer Logan, and at 2 p. M. reached West Point, 



226 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

where we had quite a military reception given us by 
the two companies already there. We were duly mus- 
tered into service by Colonel H. B. Tomlln, and went 
into our barracks. 

Saturday, June ist. — The men were sworn into the 
service by William A. Spiller. 

The next day, our first Sabbath in camp, we met in a 
sort of Sunday school and prayer-meeting, which closed 
with a sermon by R. H. Land. 

Our time was now devoted to drilling. The King 
William troop arrived fifty-four strong, commanded by 
Captain Douglas; and on the 6th General Lee paid us 
a visit, and left us under the impression that we would 
be sent to Yorktown in a few days. News came on the 
loth of the battle of Bethel. This caused quite a stir 
in camp. 

Wednesday, June 12th. — We took the steamer 
Logan for Yorktown, but finding no accommodations 
for us there, we were ordered back. The next day was 
observed throughout the Confederate States as a day of 
fasting and prayer. 

Friday, June 14th. — Lieutenant Whittle gave us our 
first drill at the heavy battery, and the next day we took 
charge of it. 

Thursday, June 20th. — We again took passage to 
Gloucester Point, reaching there at midnight. Fifty of 
us slept that night in one small room, lying like sardines 
in a box. The next day we met Colonel Thomas J. 
Page, with whom we were to be closely associated for 
many months; Colonel Crump, commandant of the 
post; Lieutenant-colonel Page, Major Wheelwright, 
Lieutenant Bradford, our first drill master, and others. 

Sunday, June 23d. — Captain Councill's company ar- 
rived, and on the 26th Captain Spencer's and Captain 
Sutton's. 

Monday, July ist. — Captain Page gave us our first 
drill in the heavy battery. The month was spent chiefly 
in this uninteresting employment, together with unload- 
ing lumber vessels, building a shell house, improving our 
battery, and preparing more permanent quarters for 
ourselves. We were now one hundred strong. The first 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 227 

thrilling news of the battle of Manassas reached us. 
We at once fired a salute of eleven guns. 

The months of August and September were very try- 
ing ones to our troops. Yorktown was a perfect hos- 
pital, and Gloucester Point was not much better. We 
had only fifty men for duty. 

September 15th. — Captain Otey's and Captain Jor- 
dan's companies arrived, and for the first time these 
robust men from the base of the peaks of Otter wit- 
nessed a process which, in their simplicity,, they called 
" hulling oysters." 

October 13th. — Rev. William E. Wyatt preached his 
first sermon as chaplain of the post. On the 31st we 
had a general inspection and review. The companies 
from the battery were marched up to the field and took 
their place in line. Of course Captain Page was indig- 
nant. He considered his command " on board ship," 
and recognized no man's right to rule over them. 

November found us hard at work on our winter quar- 
ters, under the general direction of Privates Wright, 
Crouch, and Kemp. 

November 13th. — Huckstep was reported dead In 
Richmond. Some of us feared he had been foully dealt 
with. About the middle of the month our whole bat- 
tery force, strengthened by the infantry, hauled a large 
rifle gun to its position on the hill. 

November 20th. — The Accomac refugees came pour- 
ing into our camp, and several joined our company. 

Saturday, December 7th. — There was an alarm in 
camp. Our guard boat was fired upon, and our whole 
command was at once turned out. Three days after- 
ward, Captain Joe Drudge's sloop was fired upon by the 
Federal gunboats. This we considered a first-class 
insult. 

Saturday, December 21st. — The King and Queen 
militia reported for duty. We were now veterans and 
heroes, and the appearance of the militia excited no 
little amusement in our ranks. 

.Saturday, the 28th. — William Hugh Courtney died 
/ at home, after seven weeks' Illness. The company was 
I called out, and suitable action taken. 



^28 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

Captain Jarvis came down with Christmas suppHes, 
causing great joy among us. The officers gave Captain 
Page a famous dinner, and at night we had a general 
reception, in which the whole company participated. 
Our head cook, Osborne, told us the next morning, with 
quite a sorrowful countenance, that he cut and served 
one hundred slices of cake. 

So closed the year 1861. We were all In comfort- 
able quarters. We had our drills, and inspections, and 
guard duties, and Sunday schools, and prayer meetings, 
and regular preaching on Sunday, along with the pleas- 
ures of camp life. 

January 20th, 1862. — Captain Page was ordered to 
West Point to superintend the erection of gunboats, — 
a personal affliction to everyone In our command. On 
the 22d, our first lieutenant, Ryland, weary of the dull- 
ness of camp life, and panting for home, left for the pur- 
pose of seeking a position under General Thomas J. 
Jackson. It turned out, however, that the arrangement 
could not be made. If it had been, it is hardly prob- 
able that he would have been here to-day to take part in 
this reunion. 

On the 25 th of January our command was called out, 
and a parting letter was read to us from Captain Page. 

Friday, February 7th. — Our men were mustered in 
for another term of service by Lieutenant-Colonel Page. 
Some changes occurred at this time. The news from 
Fort Donelson and Roanoke Island cast a gloom over 
our camp. 

Thursday, the 20th. — Addison Phillips died, after 
three wrecks' illness. The company escorted his remains 
to the steamer. 

Saturday, the 22d, President Davis was duly Inau- 
gurated in Richmond. 

Tuesday, March the 4th. — Lieutenant-Colonel Car- 
ter arrived and took command of the battery forces, 
and on Monday, the loth, the company was reorgan- 
ized. Captain Bagby being reelected; A. F. Bagby, first 
lieutenant; the writer, second; and W. T. Haynes, third. 
The next sensation In camp was the naval victory In 
Hampton Roads. March 23d we hauled our heavy 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 229 

guns up to the bastion fort on the hill. On the 28th 
everything was astir. We moved our quarters outside 
the lines, dug wells, and waded in mud and sleet and 
darkness. The enemy was reported in heavy force at 
Newport News. General Lee was now in command of 
all the forces in Virginia. 

Friday, April 4th. — Great excitement in Yorktown; 
our infantry were ordered over. Saturday the enemy 
appeared in front of the lines there, and a balloon was 
sent up. Firing was kept up all day, and six ships came 
in sight. Captain Page arrived, greatly to our relief, 
and took command, Colonel Carter having been relieved. 
News reached us of the battle of Shiloh, and the death 
of General Albert Sidney Johnston. Our troops re- 
turned from Yorktown, and the first shell thrown over 
into our lines was quickly dug up and inspected. The 
duel between the lines at Yorktown was kept up during 
the balance of the month. 

Thursday, May ist. — Orders came from General 
Johnson to evacuate Gloucester Point at dark to-night. 
The whole camp is filled with bustle and excitement. 
The artillerymen are equipped with muskets; three 
days' rations are cooked; the ammunition is moved to 
the vessels, and the whole command is under arms with 
but little time to rest, until the evening of May 4th, 
when Anderson goes around and spikes all the heavy 
guns, and we move off at 8 o'clock, the Twenty-sixth 
Regiment in the lead; then the militia; then an artillery 
battalion; and last, the Forty-sixth Regiment. We 
reached Gloucester Courthouse at dawn, and rested a 
few hours. Passing through Centreville we were rnet 
by our friends at King and Queen Courthouse, with 
supplies. Many of the men gave out on this heavy 
march. The road was strewn with knapsacks, over- 
coats, and camp utensils. The next night we camped at 
St. Stephen's Church, and the following at Mangohick. 
We spent the night near Old Church, and on the loth 
of May moved down into New Kent and began to real- 
ize for the first time that we were a part of a large 
army seeking its position around Richmond. Men, 
tents, wagons, batteries, quartermasters, commissaries, 



230 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

all in inextricable confusion, and everybody in every- 
body's way. 

Thursday, the 15 th. — We crossed the Chickahominy 
at midnight, and had a hard time of it, making two 
miles in about five hours. Alas for the vexations and 
unaccountable delays, the marchings and countermarch- 
ings of an army. Nobody knew anything. Men went 
to sleep standing in the ranks. The very mules nodded 
between the beatings given them by inexperienced 
drivers for refusing to pull through bottomless roads. 
Everybody was mad and hungry, and worn out and un- 
patriotic. At last we turned into fields about six miles 
from Richmond, and broke into wagonloads of hard- 
tack. The next day we moved nearer the city, and on 
Sunday, the i8th, our eyes were greeted with the sight 
of its spires. And now the doom of being finally con- 
verted into infantry seemed to settle upon us, to our 
bitter regret and utter disgust. Even the old battery 
that some of us had nursed all the way from Gloucester 
Point was taken away. We were quietly assigned to 
Rhodes's Brigade, and the addition of Captain White's 
company constituted us a battalion. Our former first 
lieutenant, Ryland, left us to try his fortune in another 
command. 

And now we were in for it. Roll call at 4:30; squad 
drill at 5 ; company drill at 8 ; and battalion and bri- 
gade drill at 5 P. M., in the field near Roper's mill. For 
several days we were kept in constant commotion, 
marching and countermarching, up the road and down 
again, none of us knew why. 

On the night of May 30th there was a heavy fall of 
rain. It was a fitting prelude to the storm of battle, the 
rain of shot and shell through which our boys were 
about to pass. It was evident that serious work was 
ahead. 

Saturday morn. May 31st. — We were under arms at 
an early hour, little knowing what was before us. Large 
bodies of infantry moved with us down the road. 

The command was given to halt and load; and then 
we made a hurried march through field and wood, 
double-quicking until oflicers and men were out of 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 231 

breath. We formed in line of battle, and Captain Otey, 
acting as field officer, in connection with Captain Bagby, 
addressed the command in a few words, exhorting every 
man to keep cool and do his duty. We then marched to 
the front through a pine thicket, charged through acres 
of felled trees, raised our first Confederate yell, and in 
a few minutes found ourselves in a strong horseshoe 
fort, from which the enemy had fled at our approach. 
We turned their splendid twelve-pound napoleons upon 
them with telling effect, and charged on through their 
deserted camp, under a galling fire. Five of our boys 
fell in a few moments, — Bacon, Butler, Courtneyj 
Holmes, and Pynes. Sergeants John W. Ryland and 
William Meyer, Corporal Boliver Lumpkin, and Pri- 
vates Ben Carlton, Tom Segar, John Gresham, Benja- 
min McLelland, H. C. Pendleton, John Willroy, 

George Hurt, Jim Kelly, Hurt, Benjamin 

Sale, Tom Myrick, and others, were wounded. Falling 
back after a while to the redoubt, we were relieved by 
other troops. President Davis and General Lee ap- 
peared on the scene and were vigorously cheered by our 
men. Dear Otey had fallen, and the field was covered 
with our dead and wounded. Night closed the scene. 
We slept on the field, ministering to the wants of the 
wounded and dying. Never can the writer forget the 
last words of that brave boy, Jimmy Bacon. He was 
mortally wounded and slowly dying, and on being asked 
if anything could be done for his comfort, he replied; 
" Just leave your canteen with me, to relieve my thirst, 
and please take a lock of my hair and my watch for my 
mother, and tell her I was not afraid to die, and cheer- 
fully gave my life for our cause." If Bacon's grave 
could now be found, we would erect a shaft to his mem- 
ory and engrave these brave words upon it. Sunday 
the battle was renewed; but we were too much cut up 
to take part in it. The roads were filled with ambu- 
lances and wagons conveying the wounded to Richmond. 
We buried our dead on the field, and after lying down 
that night to rest for a few hours, were called up, made 
a forced march through mud and mire, and wagons and 
ambulances, to a field where we at last found some rest, 



232 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

and began to collect our scattered forces. General 
Johnson had been wounded, and General Lee assumed 
command in a general order. [The battle of Seven 
Pines.] 

Monday, June 9th. — Our company. Captain Otey's, 
and Captain Jordan's, were ordered to report at once to 
Goode's Regiment, Wise's Brigade, below Chaffin's 
Bluff, on James River. We had now only thirty men 
for duty, and having pitched our tents near the Childrey 
house, began again the dull round of daily drill. 

Wednesday, the 25th. — Jackson swooped down upon 
the enemy's right, and day after day we heard in the dis- 
tance the seven days' battle that culminated at Malvern 
Hill, July I St, and sent McClellan's forces reeling to 
their gunboats. We did picket duty on the river, and 
watched the result with intense solicitude. Great was 
the relief and joy in Richmond. 

The month of July was without incident. Drill and 
guard duty, chills and mosquitoes, were the order of 
the day. We rarely had more than thirty-five men for 
duty. The captain was sick at Coyner's Spring, and 
the first lieutenant in Richmond. The exchange of 
prisoners now began, and they were constantly passing 
our camp on the way to Varina. McClellan " changed 
his base," and Lincoln called for 300,000 men. August 
brought its daily drills and chills, and courts-martial. 

September gave us great joy over the victory at Ma- 
nassas, and the march into Maryland. On the 7th of 
this month our company was again detailed for battery 
service under Captain Page, and John Willroy dryly 
remarked that " once more we had retired to the quiet 
of domestic life." Thursday, the i8th, was a day of 
thanksgiving and prayer. 

Until the middle of October we were engaged in 
hauling logs and building quarters for the winter, and 
on through November we drilled daily at our two rifle 
guns, two mortars, and one eight-inch columbiad, com- 
manding the river below Chaffin's Bluff. Regular reli- 
gious services were held on Sunday and during the 
week. 

Thursday, November 20th. — Our captain returned 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 233 

from Richmond with the rank of major. Lieutenant 
A. F. Bagby became captain; the writer, first lieutenant; 
Lieutenant Hayes, second lieutenant; and at an election 
held on the 24th Benjamin Walker was made third lieu- 
tenant. Early in December there was a deep religious 
awakening in the company, and Albert Gresham and 
John Parks made a profession of religion. The serv- 
ices were conducted by Elders George F. Bagby, John 
Pollard, and William E. Wyatt. 

Monday, December 2 2d. — Our young captain left 
under somewhat suspicious circumstances. It was given 
out that he was on recruiting service. We soon learned 
that he had captured a fair damsel near Walkerton, and 
mustered her into the Confederate service on Christmas 
day. On the 30th she was introduced at the officers' 
quarters as the first female recruit. 

January, 1863, was a dull month in camp; rains were 
incessant, and we had nothing to do, nowhere to go, and 
nothing to eat. The excitement each day was Norvell 
Ryland's return from Richmond with papers and letters 
for the command. 

February was no better. Snows and rains suspended 
all military operations. 

March 7th. — Captain Page was ordered to Charles- 
ton, greatly to our regret. The question of supplies 
was now becoming a serious one. The men drew as a 
day's rations, one quarter-pound of meat, one quarter- 
pound of sugar, one and a half pounds of flour, and a 
little rice and salt. 

April was without special incident. 

Saturday night. May 2d. — Jackson was wounded at 
Fredericksburg, and Sunday Richmond was wild with 
excitement over the enemy's raid around the city. The 
relief was great when the news came of Hooker's de- 
feat, but the immortal " Stonewall " Jackson died on 
the evening of the loth; on the iith his remains were 
brought to Richmond, and on the 12th lay In state in the 
Capitol, where thousands called to look upon the dead 
hero. 

May was spent by us In camp, turfing magazines and 
discussing VIcksburg, now the center of military interest. 



234 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

We again began our infantry drill, and this gave us 
more to do. Purkins took a two-horse plow from 
a neighbor, " just to keep his hand in," he said, 
and with Jim Eubank as driver, was preparing for 
a crop of vegetables. June was another dull month 
with us. Lee was in Maryland, filling the North with 
terror. Hooker was relieved, and Meade put in his 
place. Gettysburg was fought July ist, and Vicksburg 
fell on the 4th. On the i6th President Davis called out 
all men from eighteen to forty-five. 

The month of August witnessed a great revival in 
the Twenty-sixth Regiment, under the preaching of 
Rev. A. Broaddus of Kentucky. About one hundred 
and eighty-five professed religion, of whom Chaplain 
Wyatt baptized nearly one hundred. Towards the last 
of the month there was much sickness in camp, thirty- 
three being with chills at one time. The writer was 
separated from his command until November. 

September 4th. — Wise's Brigade was ordered to 
Charleston, our company and Captain Montague's 
being included. The command passed through Peters- 
burg, Weldon, Wilmington, and Florence, and reach- 
ing South Carolina, went Into camp early in October 
on Wapper Creek, near Charleston. 

The months of October and November gave us but 
little employment. An occasional change of camp, the 
constant shelling of Fort Sumter by the enemy, and fur- 
loughs to Virginia, were the staple of conversation. 

November 28th. — Rev. R. H. Bagby arrived from 
King and Queen with 1200 pounds' weight of supplies 
for our company. We regarded him as an angel of 
mercy. He had followed us up through the fortunes 
of war, ministering to our temporal and spiritual wants. 
In December we were doing picket duty on Little Brit- 
ain Island. Rations were small; lean beef, rice, and po- 
tatoes constituted our bill of fare. Flour was $125 per 
barrel, corn $60 per bushel, and neither love nor money 
could purchase coffee and butter. 

January 15th, 1864. — Colonel Goode was assigned to 
the command of the second subdistrlct, with headquar- 
ters at Adam's Run, the Fourth and Forty-sixth Regi- 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 235 

merits, Whilden's Cavalry, and Kemper's Battery, con- 
stituting his command. He extemporized a staff, select- 
ing an officer and several men for duty from our com- 
pany. 

February 9th. — The enemy landed on John's Island, 
capturing our pickets. A part of our brigade went 
down at once, but they had left as suddenly as they 
came. 

Wednesday, March 2d. — The writer was at home on 
furlough, and had the pleasure of taking part in the cap- 
ture of Dahlgren's raiding party, near Stevensville. 
Papers found on his person were said to contain direc- 
tions to capture and sack Richmond, release all pris- 
oners there, hang Jefferson Davis and his Cabinet, and 
then make for the Rappahannock River. 

The last of this month witnessed another religious 
awakening in our company. 

News now reached us from Virginia that General 
Grant had been placed in command, and immense prep- 
arations were going on there to overwhelm us in the 
jr'mg campaign. A day was set apart for fasting and 
prayer. Chaplain Robert gave us an excellent sermon. 

April 15th. — Major Bagby left us to recruit his 
shattered health in Virginia. General Wise tells us he 
is constantly expecting marching orders; but he is busy 
making combs, spoons, and pipes, and working in his 
garden. 

Tuesday, May 3d. — Our marching orders came at 
last from General Samuel Jones, commanding our de- 
partment. All was bustle and excitement. On the 5th 
our regiment took its departure, filling two trains. We 
heard as we passed through Charleston that the enemy 
were moving against General Lee on the Rapidan, up 
the Peninsula, and on the south side. We reached Flor- 
ence on the 6th, all in high spirits, cheering everyone 
we met, and making the woods ring with our songs. 
We reached Wilmington Saturday, hungry as wolves, 
and found peanuts $2.00 a quart, and short measure at 
that. Sunday we passed through Weldon, and reached 
Jarratt's Station at 8 that night. A raiding party of the 
enemy, in command of Cutts and Spears — ominous 



236 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

names — had just destroyed all the railroad property 
there. 

We marched all day, to Stony Creek. Tuesday, the 
loth, we passed through Petersburg, and out to the 
Dunlap House, where we were in arms all day. We 
heard that there was some reluctance on the part of 
General Wise to serve under General Bushrod Johnson. 
There was considerable activity along the lines, — shell- 
ing and picket firing and constant shifting of the few 
troops on the ground. We learn that General Lee has 
repulsed Grant every day for a week, as he shortens his 
line and falls back towards Richmond. 

Wednesday, May nth, 1864. — Our forces moved 
across Swift Creek against the enemy, but did not en- 
gage them. We were then ordered to Dunn's, three 
miles below the city, on the City Point road. Got 

Here the diary ended. It would be impossible now 
for the writer to finish the sentence, or to add a word to 
it. We evidently "got" into business. The siege of 
Petersburg began now in earnest. We had but little time 
for rest, and could not complain of neglect when any 
work or fighting had to be done. A mere handful of 
men kept Burnside's magnificent corps in check for days, 
when it really had nothing to do but to march into 
Petersburg. The effort to drive Butler's heavy force 
gave us hard work, and our company did its full share. 
A stirring and affecting incident occurred during one of 
our charges to get possession of the Osborne Turnpike. 
Crossfield had received a mortal wound, and was be- 
ing borne to the rear on a stretcher. Meeting us, he 
waved his hand in triumph, and exclaimed: "Go 
in, boys, and give it to them. It makes no difference 
about me." 

It is impossible now to recall dates and events during 
this summer. We settled down to life in the trenches, 
being rarely relieved, except for a day or two at a time, 
when we sought rest in the ravine just behind old Blan- 
ford Cemetery. Casualties were constantly occurring. 
We ate, slept, had our social gatherings and our reli- 
gious services within the lines for many weeks. The 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 237 

monotony, drudgery, and constant exposure of such a 
life were borne with great patience and fortitude. 

On the morning of July 30 the battle of the Crater 
occurred, and the death of Edward Bagby, while 
bravely defending an important part of the lines, cast 
a gloom over our whole company. To the gentleness 
of a woman he added a moral courage that knew no 
fear in the discharge of duty. 

The fall set in with no additional activity on the part 
of the enemy. It seemed to be a dogged perseverance 
on both sides. We can never forget the faithfulness and 
devotion of our camp servants. With every opportu- 
nity to escape, they were as true and faithful to us as 
the best of us were to our cause. Being in command of 
a part of the lines one day, the writer said to the servant 
who brought him his dinner: "Jack, there are your 
friends, not five hundred yards distant. They say they 
love you, and have come to set you free. If you wish to 
join them, the way is open; not a musket shall be lifted 
upon you, and in five minutes you will be a free man." 
The boy's eyes actually filled with tears at such a sug- 
gestion, and he answered quickly: "I s'posed you 
thought mo' ob me dan dat. Gi' me a gun, an' I'll show 
you whar I stan' ! " This seemed to be the common 
feeling of our old servants who followed our fortunes 
through the war, and endured all the hardships of camp 
life. 

October 27th, 1864. — In the evening one hundred 
picked men of the enemy made a sortie upon a salient 
of our lines defended by a battery. It was a bold move- 
ment, and was well executed. They were soon in pos- 
session of this part of our line, killing and wounding 
many of the artillerymen and infantry stationed there. 
This was to be the beginning of a general attack. 

When the firing began the writer was in the Crater, 
detailing a picket for the night from Colonel Tabb's 
regiment, the Fifty-ninth. Squads had already been sent 
out from the other regiments to relieve those who had 
been in the rifle pits on our front all day. Supposing 
that, through mistake, our command was firing on the 
relieved pickets as they came In, he ran down the 



238 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

trenches, ordered the companies through which he 
passed to cease firing, and in a few moments found him- 
self in the salient held by the enemy. His consterna- 
tion can better be imagined than described. There was 
no chance to escape. In a few moments he was hurried 
over the rampart and across the narrow field separating 
the two armies; and although he fell twice, hoping thus 
to break the hold of his captors and hide in a rifle pit, 
and tried to feign death by stretching out his limbs con- 
vulsively and then ceasing to breathe, the experiment 
failed, and he found himself a prisoner of war, — along 
with Colonel Harrison, Lieutenant-Colonel Wise, and 
Lieutenant Cox, of the Forty-sixth Virginia. 

And here his humble contribution to the history of 
our company must close. A few days at City Point, 
two months at the old capital at Washington, and six in 
Fort Delaware, brought with them a suspense far more 
unendurable than the hardships and dangers of daily 
service in the field. 

Other hands must trace the record of the hard winter 
that followed, — the battles of Hatcher's Run and Sail- 
ors' Creek, the retreat from Petersburg, disasters that 
" followed fast and followed faster," until failure 
was written upon the Confederate cause, and the sun 
went down upon it at Appomattox Courthouse. 



PART III 
DOMESTIC AND SOCIAL 



CHAPTER XII 

SELECTIONS FROM THE POEMS OF KING AND QUEEN 

[The following beautiful and touching lines were written by Mrs. 
Sarah Jane Bagby, the wife of Rev. Alfred Bagby, of King and Queen 
County, Virginia, on the death of her mother, Mrs. John Pollard, 
whose high-toned Christian character and earnest piety shed for 
many years a bright luster upon Mattapony Baptist Church, of which 
she was a member.] 

MY MOTHER 

There is a form now hid from view, 
From which my own its being drew. 
It sweetly sleeps beneath the sod, — 
The darkened way the Savior trod, — 
My Mother. 

There is a spirit, glad and free. 
Now dwelling in eternity; 
It calmly rests in Jesus' love, 
Forever blest in heaven above, — 

My Mother. 

I fain would tell the matchless grace. 

And all the many virtues trace, 
' ' That shone in form, in face, in heart, 

' And made her seem of heaven a part, — 

\ My Mother. 

< But ah! 'tis vain. The sun doth light 

; This world of ours, and make it bright: 

So she was sunshine in our home, — 
A radiance reaching to the tomb, — 
My Mother. 

And then above, with gentle hands. 
They raised a monument. It stands 
To tell, so all around may hear, 
Her memory is supremely dear — 

My Mother. 
341 



242 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

And surviving daughters come to weep 
O'er the cold grave where she's asleep, 
And strew with flowers the sacred mound 
Where peaceful rests in hallowed ground 
My Mother. 

A sister's love she never knew ; 

An only brother, fond and true. 

Clasped her cold hand. How sweet 't will be 

To clasp it in eternity ! 

My Mother! 

While yet a babe upon her knee, 
She spoke of Jesus' love to me. 
And bade my aspirations rise 
To better things beyond the skies — 
My Mother. 

In after years, when storms arose. 
And trials grew, and many woes 
Came thick and fast, she bade me still 
" Be happy in thy Father's will " — 
My Mother. 

" As dies the wave upon the shore," 
She calmly slept, then woke no more 
To this vain world, but far away 
She woke to an eternal day, — 

My Mother. 

Her loving sons then sadly bore 
Her body to the grave ; but o'er 
That precious earth, that silent tomb, 
There cometh nought of fear or gloom. 
My Mother. 

Yes, she is gone! and I am left. 
And earth of half its joy bereft. 
As oft her empty chair I see. 
The world seems empty then to me, — 
My Mother. 

Yet there is one who more doth miss 
Her loving smile. His earthly bliss 
Was centered there. But ah! 'tis fled; 
He's lonely now, since she is dead, — 
My Mother. 



^..^•^f^^W^}^' 




MISS SAkAIl JANK I'OI^l^ARD 

US34-18S8) 

Mrs. Alfred Bagby 



FACING 24a 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 243 

But, happy thought! again we'll meet, 
To cast our crowns at Jesus' feet ; 
To join in anthems loud and long, 
Praising the Lamb with joyful song. 
My Mother. 

MY BIRTHDAY WISH 

By Luther R. Bagby, Stevensville, Va. 

I'd like to be a boy again 

And run around the farm. 

And play those childish games once more 

That did us all no harm. 

I'd love to kneel by mother's knee 
And say my evening prayer. 
And look into her lovely face 
While I was kneeling there. 

I'd love to have that same sweet hand 
Upon my shoulder laid, 
As back into a little room 
My boyish feet were led. 

And down upon the floor we knelt 
Hard by the mercy seat, 
And God was asked to keep her boy 
Close to the Savior's feet. 

I'd love to kneel again once more 
Around the fire place. 
And hear my father's pleading voice 
Praying for daily grace. 

Sweet praises filled the very air 
And heaven lit up his face. 
As kneeling by the old armchair 
He reached the throne of grace. 

I'd love to go to Sunday School 
And learn the way of life. 
And spend those happy days again 
So free from sin and strife. 

I'd love to meet my class again 

That met there by the door, 

With good Judge Jones, our teacher then, 

Who left us long ago. 



^44 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

He took us all the Bible through, 
And taught us all the way 
That Moses and the prophets went 
And leads to endless day. 

My life has been so full of faults 

I fain would live it o'er, 

That I might give more life, more love 

To Him whom we adore. 

Since this is all denied me, Lord, 
Oh, give me grace to live. 
So that when I am called away 
A good account may give. 



TO MR. AND MRS. MOORE B. WRIGHT ON THE 
DEATH OF THEIR BOY 

By Sarah Jane Bagby 

How soon the icy hand of Death did nip 

The tender flower 
And cause its leaves to fade and die 

In one short hour ! 
Yet long enough it lingered here to fill 

Thy loving heart. 
And make thee feel as if it were of life 

The better part. 

Did Stranger pluck the tiny Bud within 

Thy garden fair? 
Or was it He who loves and keeps thee 

'Neath his care? 
Father ! Mother ! Thou must feel 't was 

God, — did send 
An angel to transplant the rose He 

Did but lend. 

Then thank Him for the fragrance shed 

Around thy way ! 
Bend low, " pass 'neath the rod," He'll 

Be thy stay! 
When thy long day is ended, thou shalt 

Claim thine own. 
And find within the pearly gates thy 

Flower, full blown. 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 245 

Didst thou e'er see the eagle stir 

The eaglet's nest? 
And briars place 'neath down to pierce 

Their tender breast? 
That they might try their wings, and large 

Of stature grow? 
Mid bracing air, mid purer climes, 

Nor look below ? 

Just so thy God would say to thee. 

Take staff in hand, 
Rise, follow; I will lead thee to 

The better land ! 
Thou wilt bless the cruel thorns that 

Pierced thy breast, 
Nor would not let thee rest within 

Thy earthly nest. 



HER PORTRAIT 
M. E. P. 

As on thy face I gaze to-day. 

Thy smile seems a caress. 
Thine eyes with merry, laughing light 

Again my spirit bless. 
The past the present seems to-day, — 

The years behind us flung; 
We stand on Love's sweet threshold, dear, 

And thou and I are young. 

I've not forgot how fair thou wast. 

My bonny, bonny bride; 
No envious veil of silken gauze 

Thy loveliness could hide. 
But lovelier far than e'er before 

To me thou then didst seem. 
And life was all, to thee and me, 

A sweet midsummer's dream. 

Ah wife, I dimly knew thee then. 
Thy worth I had not guessed; 

Through joy and through gloom alike, 
Thy love bore every test. 



246 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

So true thou wast, so noble, dear. 

So bright, so strong, so brave; 
Then waters deep of trouble came 

My sorrowing soul to lave. 

No fixed gulf divides us, love. 

Only a peaceful stream; 
With brightest hopes of joy beyond 

Its lucent waters gleam. 
Though long the years I've missed thee, dear, 

Thou'st seemed not far to me, — 
Some day the bridge that spans the tide 

Shall bear me o'er to thee. 



LINES BY PROF. RYLAND 

The following lines were written by Prof. Josiah Ryland when 
he was principal of the Stevensville Academy in 1856, and many of 
the King and Queen people, as well as others, will be interested in 
seeing them in print. — H. R. P., Jr. 

1856 

O age of varnish, cant and shame. 
That wanteth nothing but a name ! 
King William throws the gauntlet down 
In peerless Bessie Blanchie Brown ! 
Come to the rescue, King and Queen, 
Produce thy Walker, Dora Deane ! 
Unfurl the banner of the sun; 
Make way, make way, for Fenelon ! 
And let the glory of the day 
Burst forth afresh in Ora May ! 
O who the matchless grace shall tell 
Of her of Woodville, Floss Rochelle! 
But, Bessie, Dora, Floss make way 
For the last cherub, baby Gay! 
Who, the last Pleiad of the skies, 
With ebon hair and azure eyes, 
Appears on earth, a Peri bright. 
To glad our eyes and charm our sight. 
Here, for a while. Dame Fortune's wheel. 
Exhausted by the maddening reel. 
Rests pendent while new names are found 
Of would-be grace and empty sound. 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 247 

When " Woman's Rights " to laws attain, 

And girls go courting, might and main. 

When Bloomer pants become the rage, 

And high-heel gaiters strut the stage; 

When boys no longer woo the lassies, 

But maidens court them to their faces, 

O what the luckless wights shall save 

From anguish, or an early grave? 

For girls (from number) must, of course. 

Attack the beaux ten on a horse ! 

O Fenelon, my son, my son, 

In such a case thou art undone ! 

Fly for thy life while now thou may'st. 

Or cut thy throat with prudent haste. 

Old times return ! restore the reign 

Of Polly, Nancy, Sukey, Jane, 

Jemina, Phoebe, Ann, Eliza, 

Abigail, Venus, Eloise. 

Away with varnish, cant and gloss! 

Away with Bessie, Dora, Floss ! 

No longer with such babies bore us. 

If earth with babes must be replenished 

Till the last settlement is finished, 

Do give them honest Christian names. 

As Matthew, Thomas, Andrew, James, 

Daniel, Ezekiel, Peter, Paul: — 

Apostles, prophets, martyrs all. 

Such names our grandsires honored long. 

On author's page, in poet's song; 

Such names were towers of strength indeed 

When men for liberty did bleed. 

Such were the watchwords of an hour 

When men staked all for Freedom's flower. 

But now the time of bronze returns, 

And honest cheek with flushes burns. 

Cant, affectation, gloss, begone ! 

" Old times," old times, return, return. 



THE OCEAN 

G. P. B. 

Who has not felt as he stood and gazed far out o'er the ocean wild, 
That the moving flood was the voice of God communing with His 
child? 



£48 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

Whose soul has not thrilled and thrilled again at this majestic scene, 
The thought of lands far distant from view and the ocean lying 

between? 
Do the heavens declare God's glory? The firmament show His hand? 
Then come with me where the sky and sea bid a long adieu to land ; 
Who, there, is not awe-struck and subdued, drawn close to the God 

above. 
Whose life is not sweet and strong, I ween, in touch with Him who 

is love? 

Dost doubt the existence of God and the final triumph of right? 
Dost think that life speaks but of itself and death only heralds night? 
I'^hen go, I pray, to the ocean's shore 'neath a clear and star-lit sky, 
And say who painted the picture sublime that greets your ravished eye. 
Who orders the waves as they rise and fall with rhythm like that of 

song? 
The breakers dashing their foam on the sand, to whom do thcbC 

belong ? 
What human artist such colors could blend in picture half so grand? 
What power now save an infinite one can answer your soul's demand? 

But hark ! a storm comes up o'er the deep, the blue sea turning to 

green ; 
The sparkling spray on the crest of the waves enlivens and crowns 

the scene. 
The wind, as it rides full blast on the storm, breathes tales of magic 

power ; 
The breakers roar and the lightnings flash, and the clouds with tempest 

lower. 
What law is back of wind and waves? Who speaks the storm into 

being? 
Whose voice sounds clear 'mid the roar of breakers arising and fleeing? 
'T is the voice of God speaking to you till your soul gives answering 

thrill. 
The same voice that will presently say to the storm, "Now peace; 
be still." 

Hast stood alone by the silent grave of one you loved as your life? 
Hast lost faith in the goodness of God and fallen a prey to strife? 
Then stand again at the water's side as the sun sinks slow to rest. 
And listen the whisper come softly, " The father above knows best." 
The crimson rays from setting sun, as they mellow the water's blue. 
Speak to your soul of the life to come and the Father's love for you ; 
Remember man only tarries here, as the waves arise and are gone. 
And each one owes to God and himself to rejoice and not to mourn. 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 249 

Hast wandered away from home and the right in paths of sin and 

shame ? 
Hast forgotten how at mother's knee you lisped the Father's name? 
Then go, at the first faint break of day, Satan and sin to dethrone, 
Make bare your head and kneel on the shore with God and the sea 

alone ; 
Now listen, O child, to thy Father's voice, " Come unto me " — the test, 
Prodigal son, who hast strayed so far — " and I will give thee rest " ; 
Turn thy weary steps toward home at last, renew thy early vow ; 
The Father will place a ring on thy hand, a kiss upon thy brow. 

Hast won some well-earned victory, some hard and strenuous fight? 
Hast carried the day and reached the goal, turned darkness into light? 
Stand e'en now at the midday hour near the ceaselessly moving tide. 
As the glowing sun gilds the waves, and the waters sparkle in pride: 
Then bowing thy head with humility, bid thy heart send thanks above 
To Him who holds the earth in His hand, yet marks the fall of the 

dove; 
As thy soul overflows with joy and peace, forget not whence they came, 
But rise to still better and nobler things, e'er trusting in His name. 

WHEN THE LAURELS ARE BLOOMING. 

[Some five miles from Goshen station, Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad, 
the North River cuts its passage through the mountains, and the pike 
leading to Lexington, Va., works its way along the banks of the river, 
the whole making a scene at once enchanting and sublime. It was an 
object of great admiration to the late Commodore Maury. In his dying 
moments he was heard to murmur, " Take me through Goshen pass, 
when the laurels are blooming."] 

When the laurels are blooming. 

When nature serene 
Is clothed in its brightest 

And loveliest green. 

Bear my body then slowly, 

Yea, gently along. 
And sing while you bear it 

Your sweetest of song. 

When the laurels are blooming. 

When mountains of blue 
Are bathing their summits 

In bright azure hue, 



250 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

Oh bear me, then bear me, 

Where they silently rise, 
And speak, while they point 

To a home in the skies. 

When the laurels are blooming. 

When the bird in its nest 
Is waking to carol 

From winter's long rest, 
When glad notes are warbling 

From leaflet and tree, 
Oh, bear me where laurels 

Are blooming for me. 

When the laurels are blooming. 

When the waters so wild 
Are chafing and fretting 

Like yon wilful child. 
As they dash o'er the lone rock, 

So well-worn and gray. 
Where the laurels are blooming 

Oh, bear me that way. 

But the laurels, 'though blooming. 

Will wither and die; 
Their leaves, torn and scattered, 

Forgotten shall lie; 
But his name and his fame. 

To Virginia so dear. 
On the page of her story 

Shall ever recur. 

Thus sadly they bore him 

Where the laurels did bloom, 
And tenderly laid him 

In a cold, humble tomb; 
But his spirit, freed spirit, 

From sorrow and strife, 
Is blooming immortal 

By the River of Life. 

LINES ON THE DEATH OF ROBERT M. TABB, C. S. A. 
[Written, at the request of his widow, by Sarah Jane Bagby.] 
Far from the din of battle, far from the noisy strife 
Of a nation's conflict, up to the better life, — 
Borne by the wings of angels, soared his pure spirit away. 
Far from the blood and carnage, on that calm autumnal day. 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 251 

He died for home and country, none braver e'er marched to the field, 
Of all that proud host of warriors that stood as their Nation's shield, 
That stood,— but alas! have fallen, who nobly have fought their last 

fight. 
Whose watchword, at home or in battle, was " God, my country, and 

right." 

When forms that were stouter-girded, when hearts that were strong 

did quail. 
On that day of unequal contest, that caused our proud banner to trail, 
He rushed and with colors uplifted, he rushed to the front of the fray, 
And calling on others to follow, gave his life to his country that day. 

Ah ! who may tell of the rapture that bursts on the astonished eye. 
As earth with its tumult of passion, is exchanged for the glories on 

high? 
When the ear one moment greeted by the sound of the musketry's ring. 
Is tuned for the heavenly choir, to the music the angels sing. 

Oh, say not in vain was the effort he made his country to save; 

In vain, whether living or dying, is never the fate of the brave. 

But history will write the true story, far down through the ages of 

time. 
Of the deeds of the hero soldier — a record both true and sublime. 

But alas! who shall comfort the mourner, dry the eye of the sorrowing 

wife, 
As she clasps to her bosom in anguish his babes, now her solace and 

life? 
The God of the widow and orphans bids the wild waves of sorrow 

cease. 
And the heart of the sadly bereaved is calmed with heavenly peace. 

Jan. 15, 1878. 

THE EMPTY SLEEVE. 

By Dr. G. W. Bagby. 

Tom, old fellow, I grieve to see 

The sleeve hanging loose at your side; 

The arm you lost was worth to me 

Every Yankee that ever died. 

But you don't mind it at all; 

You swear you've a beautiful stump, 

And laugh at that damnable ball — 

Tom, I knew you were always a trump. 



252 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

A good right arm, a nervy hand, 
A wrist as strong as sapling oak, 
Buried deep in the Malvern sand — 
To laugh at that is a sorry joke. 
Never again your iron grip 
Shall I feel in my shrinking palm — 
Tom, Tom, I see your trembling lip. 
How on earth can I be calm? 



Well! the arm is gone, it is true; 
But the one that's nearest the heart 
Is left — and that's as good as two; 
Tom, old fellow, what makes you start? 
Why, man, she thinks that empty sleeve 
A badge of honor; so do I, 
And all of us — I do believe 
The fellow is going to cry. 

"She deserves a perfect man," you say; 
"You not worth her in your prime?" 
Tom, the arm that has turned to clay 
Your whole body has made sublime; 
For you have placed in the Malvern earth 
The proof and pledge of a noble life — 
And the rest, henceforth of higher worth, 
Will be dearer than all to your wife. 

I see the people in the street 

Look at your sleeve with kindling eyes; 

And you know, Tom, there's naught so sweet 

As homage shown in mute surmise. 

Bravely your arm in battle strove, 

Freely, for freedom's sake, you gave it ; 

It has perished — but a nation's love 

In proud remembrance will save it. 

Go to your sweetheart, then, forthwith — 
You're a fool for staying so long — 
Woman's love you'll find no myth. 
But a truth, living, tender, strong. 
And when round her slender belt 
Your left arm is clasped in fond embrace. 
Your right will thrill, as if it felt, 
^ In its grave, the usurper's place. 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 253 

As I look through the coming years, 
I see a one-armed married man; 
A little woman, with smiles and tears, 
Is helping as hard as she can 
To put on his coat, pin his sleeve. 
Tie his cravat, and cut his food; 
And I say, as these fancies I weave. 
That is Tom and the woman he wooed. 

The years roll on, and then I see 
A wedding picture bright and fair; 
I look closer, — and it's plain to me 
That is Tom, with the silver hair. 
He gives away the lovely bride. 
And the guests linger, loth to leave 
The house of him in whom they pride — 
" Brave old Tom with the empty sleeve." 



CHAPTER XIII 

TWO MEN DESERVING TO BE REMEMBERED, AND A BOY 
SENT ON A.N ERRAND 

BY JOHN POLLARD 

Alexander Dudley was one of the most prominent 
men of his day. He was a practicing lawyer of King 
and Queen County, Va., yet was also the father of a 
railroad. The old people of the county can readily re- 
call him. I knew him, though at the time he was a 
rnan and I was a boy. He came into prominence by a 
single step. That step was the inception and comple- 
tion of the Richmond and York River Railroad, merged 
since his day into the Southern. He was the first to 
give practical shape to the enterprise, the first to be- 
lieve it could be carried through thirty-four miles, from 
Richmond to West Point, and the man that deserves 
the most honor for that achievement. He floated the 
stock with which the road was built. With surprising 
enthusiasm and energy he induced men in the cities of 
Baltimore and Richmond, and in King and Queen, King 
William, Hanover, New Kent, Gloucester, and other 
counties to invest their money. He was made the first 
president, as he well deserved. The road was char- 
tered in 1853. Three years afterwards (1856) the 
first passenger train was run through, as I have been 
informed by a gentleman who has conversed with the 
engineer who that day had charge of the throttle. The 
only marked difference between the road then and now 
is that at that time the train went into West Point, 
not on the Pamunkey, but on the Mattapony side, and 
here the terminus remained for a time. 

But the most herculean work of Mr. Dudley had not 
yet been done. When the war between the States was 
at an end, the Richmond and York River Railroad had 
scarcely anything left to it but the graded track on which 

254 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 255 

it had been built. What was to be done? The presi- 
dent might give up, might surrender to difficulties. The 
utterly prostrate condition of Virginia might seem to 
justify such a course, but the old-time energy and in- 
domitable perseverance of the man who had begun the 
enterprise came to the rescue. Mr. Dudley, still presi- 
dent, succeeded in persuading the original stockholders 
to the only course that could restore the road, — to sur- 
render their first-mortgage bonds and take second-mort- 
gage bonds, and let sufficient bonds be sold as a 
first lien upon the property to rebuild and reequip 
the road. This gigantic task was accomplished and the 
great highway of commerce was given back to the 
public, refurnished for work. 

It has been thought that his death in 1869 (when he 
had by no means attained an advanced age) was partly 
due to the responsibility and labors taken upon himself 
in putting the enterprise upon its feet again. 

The carrying through of the York River Railroad 
suggested, and paved the way for, another enterprise. 
That was the organization of the West Point Land 
Company, which project meant the purchase of five 
hundred acres of land at West Point at thirty dollars 
per acre. That purchase embraced the whole of the 
point itself, and all the land between the Mattapony 
and the Pamunkey, as far as the five hundred acres 
would extend. The land was bought of Hon. William 
P. Taylor, who once lived at West Point, though at 
this time he was residing on a fine estate called " Hay- 
field," on the Rappahannock River in Caroline County. 
The purpose was, of course, to build up a town at the 
place, in which project some had faith and some had 
no faith whatever. Those composing the company were 
substantial men of King and Queen, King William, and 
surrounding counties. The directors held their first 
meeting on the 27th day of March, 1856. At this 
meeting B, B. Douglas was chosen president and John 
Pollard (my father) secretary and treasurer. The 
directors usually held their meetings at West Point. 
It did not look much like even a small village then, to 
say nothing of a town. There was but one house at 



256 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

the place. That was the former Taylor residence, which 
had been turned into a tavern and was occupied as such 
by a Mr. New, after whom it had been named. Here 
the directors met. The proprietor had a well furnished 
table, — no wonder, as he had three rivers to provide 
him with what was necessary. My father took me (a 
boy of sixteen years) with him to the meeting of the 
directors at West Point to help him in his duties as 
secretary and treasurer, not so much because he needed 
my assistance as that I might be somewhat trained to 
the ways of business. Transactions with Mr. Taylor 
for land purchase occurred on April 17th, 1859. My 
father continued to be the secretary and treasurer as 
long as he lived, the last proceedings taken down by 
him being dated the 19th of November, 1875, and his 
death being noted first on the 25th of February, 1878. 

I rather suppose that my employment as an occa- 
sional help to my father (in his official services to the 
land company) suggested the outing that now, with 
the reader's indulgence, I will attempt to describe. It 
must have occurred in the spring of 1857. 

My health, though not now infirm, was then by no 
means superabounding in robustness. Accordingly I 
was stopped from school at the beginning of the session 
of 1856-57 and kept for twelve months at active out- 
door pursuits. One of the healthful employments given 
me by my father was to go on horseback to Mr. William 
P. Taylor's, in Caroline County, and pay him $1000.00 
as a creditor of the West Point Land Company. Why 
he was willing to take the risk of transmitting so much 
money by the hands of a boy of seventeen summers I 
cannot tell, unless he wanted a way of training me to 
business, and at the same time of furnishing me with 
the bodily exercise he thought I needed. When I got 
to my destination at Mr. Taylor's I would be only fif- 
teen miles below Fredericksburg, and I asked my father 
if I might make my journey a little longer and see 
that historic town. He readily consented. I was now 
made ready for the trip. " Jenny Lind," my father's 
riding horse, was brought out and saddled up, the money 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 257 

was fastened under my clothes close to my body; I 
was given directions about the road; I mounted, and 
was soon lost to sight. I spent the first night after 
leaving home at Mr. Harry Latane's in Essex, whom 
my father knew very well, he being a first cousin to 
my father's mother. I found him quite an old man, 
but exceedingly kind and affable. Just before I reached 
his house I was overtaken by a heavy downpour of rain, 
which made me quite wet. Old as he was, he took 
great interest in drying my clothes, calling me all the 
time " Cousin John." He was the father of Captain 
Latane, who was the only man killed in the raid around 
General McClellan's army and is immortalized in the 
picture " The Burial of Latane." Soon after leaving 
Cousin Harry Latane's I struck the river road, and 
pursued that all the way. I passed Lloyds and Loretto, 
and an ancient colonial church with many tombs around 
it, and at length reached Port Royal about dinner time. 
I went in and got something to eat. After feeding my- 
self and horse I mounted again and went on to Mr. 
Taylor's, which ((if I remember rightly) was about five 
miles farther on. He received me very politely, and 
while he was counting the money Mrs. Taylor enter- 
tained me very pleasantly, speaking of the time when 
they lived at West Point and telling me how she used to 
enjoy looking out upon the bright waters of the York. 
Mr. Taylor was now an old man. He had himself 
been a member of the United States House of Repre- 
sentatives, and was a son of the distinguished John 
Taylor of Caroline, a United States Senator and a 
friend of Thomas Jefferson. (John Taylor was the 
man that offered the Resolutions of 1798 in the Vir- 
ginia House of Delegates.) Mr. William P. Taylor 
and wife were childless and occupied a fine old mansion, 
but it was not my plan to spend the night with them. 
I was to press on that evening and reach Frank Gouldin, 
whose acquaintance I had formed in attending, as a boy 
delegate, the Baptist General Association of Virginia. 
So when the money was paid over and Mr. Taylor's re- 
ceipt obtained, and a burden of responsibility lifted from 
my mind, I set off again on my way to Fredericksburg. 



258 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

I soon reached the home of my friend, who received 
me very cordially. 

Next morning I got to Fredericksburg, looked around 
the town, ate dinner, and started for home, fifty miles 
away. I cannot recall, to save my life, where I spent 
the night, but I think it more than likely that I put up 
a second night with my friend Gouldin. I started in 
time to reach before dinner Dr. William A. Baynham, 
a Baptist minister with whom I was well acquainted. 
He lived then in a fine mansion below Loretto; lived in 
affluence, and kept an open house to all his friends. 
On being ushered into the parlor I found that Dr. 
Baynham was holding an old-fashioned dinner day, and 
was entertaining Senator Robert Hunter and his wife 
and Representative Garnett and his sisters. Dr. Bayn- 
ham, though a bachelor, served an elegant and sump- 
tuous dinner. The company was very agreeable. I 
do not remember the subject of conversation, except that 
Senator Hunter told me that he knew my uncle, Judge 
Jeffries, and, I think, further said that they were col- 
lege mates at the College of William and Mary. (As 
to this second statement, I begin to suspect that my 
memory is playing me a trick, for neither the records 
of William and Mary nor the life of Hunter makes any 
mention of his having been a student at that college.) 
When, after dinner, I told my hospitable host that I 
must go, he ordered my horse from the stable, where 
she had been well fed, and I mounted and proceeded 
on my journey. My memory does not enable me to 
say whether I reached home that evening; if I did it 
must have been quite late. I certainly got back safe 
and sound. I took very little account, at the time, of 
my mother's feelings in being called on to give me up 
at seventeen years of age to go alone on horseback on 
so long a journey with such a sum of money on my 
person. But I can see now that her motherly heart 
must have given me up with hesitation and reluctance. 
I can easily imagine her and my father conferring about 
the matter, and seeing that I was rapidly approaching 
manhood and ought to be thinking somewhat, at least, 
about taking on a man's responsibility, and that the 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 259 

outdoor exercise which the journey would give me was 
the very exercise that my health called for, they agreed 
I should venture. Certainly my mother made no ob- 
jection, but I can now imagine what she felt then, and 
how glad she was that I got back without serious mis- 
hap of any kind. 



CHAPTER XIV 

LIFE ON THE OLD PLANTATION 

We have it in mind to tell some things about how mat- 
ters went on the old King and Queen plantation, for the 
delectation of the younger set, who never had the keen 
satisfaction of seeing it, and taking part in it, as the 
writer had. The actors here will be the master and mis- 
tress, the children, overseer, cook, hostlers, plowmen, 
farmhands, and house servants-at-large, all colored ex- 
cept the overseer. The " Great House," as the negroes 
invariably called it, the home of the master and family, 
was the seat and center of the rural scene. It was usually 
a building of two stories, often with dormer windows, 
one or likely two wings, cellar and basement, — say in 
all twelve rooms, with pantry, and closets ad libitum. 
The lawn was spacious and shady, with kitchen and 
meathouse in the rear, and office in front. The over- 
seer's house stood apart, often one-fourth to one-half 
mile away, while comfortable cabins for the servants 
ran in a line on one side and to the rear. The planta- 
tion stretched around and abroad, partly open for the 
crops, and largely wooded. This woodland was a very 
godsend, for, to say nothing of rails for fencing and 
lumber for building, coal was yet unused here and much 
wood was used to cook and to keep fires aglow for 
master and his dependants. It ought to be added that 
there were ample gardens, usually in rear, for both 
whites and blacks. 

We are up very early some fine spring morning for 
a purpose; and now as the gray streaks of opening day 
stretch upward from the eastern horizon, we are sud- 
denly startled by the echoes of a cowhorn, which pierces 
the dullest ear. Instantly the whole plantation is astir. 
The overseer uses his bunch of keys, and swings wide 
open the doors of the great barn, and the less capacious 
corncrib, and here come Ben and Coleman, 'ostlers, and 




MK. Jf)IIX HAC.liY 

1791-1878; prominent as Merchant ami Deacon Br\iinuton Clnucli : father of L)rs. Kicliant 
H., Geo. F. and Alfred BaKby, and of Mai. John K. Bagby ; and Mrs. Bagby. 



PACING 260 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 261 

behind them Ottoway, Reuben, Jacob, and Carter, for 
not only must horses be seen after, but mules, oxen, 
sheep, and cows. Now all of these are comfortably 
groomed and fed; when all hands retire to the kitchen, 
and keen appetites are satisfied with coffee, cornpone, 
fried bacon and molasses. And here come Caroline 
and Big Lucy, milkpail poised on the head, to extract 
the white and foaming liquid from distended udder, 
and presently churn it into yellow butter. And now 
to the field! Coleman, Ben, and Carter take their re- 
spective teams, and now the mellow earth turns over 
fast from the sod, giving out a sweet odor as it turns. 
Old Isaac is off with oxen and cart for a load of wood 
or fence rails, or likely a load of marl from the bank 
to dress the upturned field. So we press on till the 
horn sounds for twelve, noon, when teams and men get 
rest and dinner. And when night's sable curtain falls, 
and supper is over, the young men and maids gather, 
banjos, and mayhap a fiddle, are tuned, and an hour or 
two of dancing beguiles the time; and then sweet sleep, 
till the horn sounds again. This with fencing, grub- 
bing, and the gardens, fills up the week's work, and 
when Sunday comes, young and old of both colors in 
best attire flock to church, and hear the sweet story of 
Jesus and the Cross by Shackford, Semple, or Todd, — 
white and colored alike, the master and the servant. 
By and by Easter and then Whitsuntide, with two days' 
holiday each, and now the white dogwood blossoms tell 
that corn-planting time has come. The plows go 
before to open the furrows and here come the men, 
the boys, and a sprinkling of women. It must be 
borne in mind that in January and February we were 
largely snow- and ice-bound, and it gave us nearly as 
much as we could do to cut and maul and transport 
the wood needed to keep aglow the many fires to make 
mistress and the colored women and pickaninnies com- 
fortable, and to cook the three meals a day to feed 
everybody. Moreover, the snow is sometimes very deep 
(as we remember very well, in the fearful season of 
1847 with drifts fifteen or twenty feet deep) ; then it 
is more wood and more work. But the two cold months 



262 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

do not last forever, thanks to the good Father, and now 
we must make up for lost time. 

And now while I have been talking and talking, the 
grains we have planted are alive again and shooting 
up all along the row. Then comes the work of replant- 
ing and thinning out, when the small plows are put 
in to " side " the little plants, and every one must then 
be brushed over with the weeding hoe. Yes, I hear 
you fellows of the modem cultivator and harrow call 
out " What a tedious and toilsome waste of time." 
Perhaps; but the men of that day made the corn, and 
that was what they were after. And now in the brighter 
days of May and June the four furrows are to be re- 
turned to the growing plants, and then the hoe again, 
to " hill up." Thus the crop is laid by. 

HARVEST 

We have been so busy with the corn that we had 
almost forgotten this matter of unfailing interest. It 
is now toward the second, or maybe the third week in 
June. The sun is hot and fast getting hotter; and 
look yonder ! The wheat is ripe, for the stalks are tak- 
ing on a golden hue, and the heads are full and ripe; 
for they hang low. It must be reaped, or the precious 
grain will waste. So here comes old Ben Braxton, his 
cradle, with blade keenly ground, over his shoulder, 
followed by Coleman, Ottoway, and Reuben of the 
younger set, each followed by a boy to sheave the wheat, 
and by others to stack it. (Reader, did you ever see 
a " cradle"? A stout oak handle four feet long, two 
inches thick at the butt end, has set into it at a right 
angle a steel blade, curving inward slightly, by means 
of a hook on its shank end, an iron ring, and a wedge. 
Five or six wooden fingers, curving like the blade, are 
attached, flanking the blade, and catching the straw 
when cut. This was the implement of those days, and 
it was much better than the primitive sickle, though it 
yields now to the great "harvester.") 

Ben, Sr., is a veteran at this business, and knows all 
its ins and outs. Reaching the field he takes the lead 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 263 

row, returns and tackles a second, the rest following. 
When that is cut through and return made to the start- 
ing point, all feel need of a breathing spell; so old 
Ben lifts his cradle from his shoulder, lets the end of 
the handle fall with a thud upon the ground, pulls his 
little whet-blade from the ribs, shoves it into the light 
soil at his feet, and proceeds to whet his blade, his 
body swaying to and fro, keeping time to the rhythmic 
music of the whetting. So the work goes on till we 
have two hours for dinner, and then at It again till by 
and by the field is reaped, and the wheat comfortably 
shocked. 

A good story is told of a King and Queen farmer 
who had as a head man a veteran negro named Um- 
phrey. It was a custom of many years' standing, when 
the toilsome days of harvest came, to send out each day 
a jug of whisky from which each might get a sip now 
and then. This time the master had been fearfully 
smitten with the temperance fever which was abroad 
in the land at that time. As the morning work was 
about to begin, he called up his man and said : 
" Umphrey, whisky is a dreadful thing, — it kills so 
many people and ruins so many homes; and therefore 
I have determined to give you all a barrel of good, 
cool molasses-water in its place." It is doubtful whether 
surprise, disappointment, or indignation was most 
prominent in the old darkey's sensations. He was dumb 
for a moment, but rallied, and said: " Marster, 
marster, this here crap is too heavy to be rept on 
'lasses ! " Right or wrong, Umphrey got his whisky. 

LOG-ROLLING 

Preparation for this has been largely made in the 
leisure days of winter. It must be borne in mind that 
in that day vast tracts of land which might otherwise 
have been cultivated were in wood, most of it primitive 
and heavy. To be rid of this was the problem. So in 
winter the hands were set to work felling the trees 
and cutting trunks and limbs into proper lengths; and 
then rolling them into piles convenient for burning, 



264 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

plenty of twigs, stumps and dry wood being shoved 
into the chinks and crevices. Thus they would stand 
until the hot sun had thoroughly dried the pile, then 
the plows were set to turn a few furrows around to 
prevent the burning of adjacent stubble and grass. Now 
fire is applied, and all burned to ashes. Thus it was 
that millions of feet of lumber were ruthlessly destroyed 
which would now be immense fortunes to the owners. 
There was a surplus of labor, and many to be fed, 
and so the forests had to go. Very many would say 
now, like the boy anent the pie, " Wish I had some! " 
When the neighbors gathered together and began roll- 
ing there was singing, shouting and merrymaking, and 
by and by feasting and drinking, till the work was 
done, — the lassies doing the cooking and sharing the 
fun. 

THE COTTON GIN 

So far as is known to me — indeed I feel assured of 
it — the father of the writer, John Bagby of Stevens- 
ville, and Mr. Samuel P. Ryland and Mr. Walker, 
were the first men to introduce this machine into the 
county. This was about 1837. It was very common 
to see upon every respectable plantation a good-sized 
cotton patch; but the fiber was separated from the seed 
by hand, and it was a tedious process. A few devel- 
oped remarkable adeptness at this, and my father was 
one of the few. After supper, a huge bag of cotton 
being brought in and spread out before the open fire, 
my father would spread out his large bandanna hand- 
kerchief on his lap and proceed to pick, the rest fol- 
lowing in order. He could do it, but it was my abomi- 
nation. " Peter Parley," or " Sanford and Merton," 
suited me much better. I was glad when the gin came, 
though even then my fingers were kept in training for 
a time. Now let us see about this famous invention 
of Whitney. There is a huge box with a capacious 
mouth at the top to receive the cotton, and an opening 
in front for the lint, and one smaller in the rear for 
the seed. Peep inside, and you see a number of fine- 
tooth saws embracing a wood cylinder set horizontally. 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 265 

The spindle end projects outside the box at one end, 
arranged to receive a leather band, — this is the gin; 
but how are the saws to be propelled? By horse power, 
as we shall see. Come with me and I will show you: 
As we stand here on the ground, do you see that great 
wheel under shelter, set horizontally into a large per- 
pendicular shaft? This shaft sets on an iron gudgeon 
which works in a socket at the lower end, and the same 
at the upper end. The wheel has cogs on its upper 
side; the cogs work into others set on to a spindle, 
which last at the other end carries a band wheel. Turn 
to the big shaft again: Heavy poles or scantlings, five 
or six, are set into it below and extend out some fifteen 
feet, — these are for the draft horses. Now connect 
the band wheel of the spindle by means of a leather 
band with the corresponding spindle of the gin on the 
floor above, hitch the horses to one or more of the 
sweeps, and we are ready. The horses turn the big 
wheel, which in turn gives rapid motion to spindle and 
band wheel, and that gives redoubled motion to the gin 
saws. Drop in a bag of cotton, old Ben, as you stand 
there with veiled face to save nose, mouth, and eyes 
from the inevitable dust, and in a twinkling you see the 
light fiber flying out in front, while the seeds drop at 
your feet. You say, reader, that this is a very heavy, 
clumsy machine. Yes, but it was a real godsend to the 
people of that far-away day; for men came from far 
and near, and paid toll gladly to get a benefit. Many 
a weary hour have my brother, the Major, and I spent 
in that old gin room, " vexing our righteous souls." 
This same horse-power threshed the wheat and oats. 

A MARRIAGE IN HIGH LIFE 

Next Friday, August 28th, is to be a great day at 
Bunker's Hill. Queen, one of the younger cooks in 
training, is to be married to Jim Taylor, who belongs 
to Mr. Bonivita, the great confectioner of Richmond; 
and all the country is agog, — the younger lads and 
lassies are quite excited. Queen has been busy making 
up and baking her cakes and pies; the pig for roasting 
is fattening in the pen; the ham, already boiled, is 



266 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

large and juicy; the wedding trousseau is about finished, 
and things are moving nicely. Peggy, the housegirl, 
generally called " Peg " for short, is to be first of the 
six bridesmaids, and is to lift the veil as the ceremony 
ends, for the groom to salute the bride. Parson Sparks 
is to officiate, and when he retires there is to be a big 
dance. Thomas Hoomes, the fiddler, and Sam Motley, 
the banjoist, are putting their strings in tune. Time, 
you know, does not wait for anybody, and while I am 
getting ready to tell you about it, the 28th has come, 
and so have the darkies ! From north and south, from 
east and west, they crowd in by troops and bands. 

Now Peg is pretty, winsome, and ambitious; she is 
especially anxious to be admired. Inasmuch as the 
best dress she can produce is a little worn and faded, 
the thought comes to her that one of the gowns of her 
young mistress — a handsome pearl silk — was just the 
thing to set off her beauty. What must Peg do but 
steal softly upstairs while the family is at supper, ex- 
tract the pearl silk from the wardrobe, and presently 
don this for the marriage. 

Things now go forward as had been planned,— -the 
marriage is finally over, the groom kisses the bride; 
the grand supper is served, and the preacher departs. 
This is the signal for the dance. Hoomes calls the 
partners and the figures, and here they go back and 
forth, to right, to left, in and out, promenade all. The 
interest and enthusiasm are great, and increase every 
moment. Peg is doing her best; she is much sought 
after. All thought of time is forgotten, everyone is so 
absorbed. All at once the day breaks, the horn sounds, 
and consternation reigns supreme. Peg, especially, is 
thoroughly frightened, — she looks to right, to left, 
for an exit, and every avenue is blocked. To stay here 
was certain exposure, — go she must, for the avenger is 
at hand. There is but one way — the window, so draw- 
ing back a step or two, she rushed madly head fore- 
most at the window, carrying glass, sash and all before 
her, and went flying to the forest, where she stayed 
several days; but she finally returned, a penitent, and 
was forgiven. 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 267 

THE WORK OF THE NEGRO WOMEN 

The year's work is drawing towards its end now, and 
someone will say, " What of the women all this time? " 
Bless your soul, they have found work in plenty. Bear 
in mind that everybody, saint and sinner, old and young, 
must be clothed. Yonder is an abundance of wool from 
the flock, but it needs to be washed, carded, spun, and 
woven. Then the suits must be cut out, and made up. 
Moreover, there are a score or two of mouths to be 
filled three times every day, and the cooking and clean- 
ing to be provided for; there is bread-making and bed- 
making to be done — have women nothing to do? 
Sometimes one of the good old " mammies " has it laid 
upon her to look after the black pickaninnies while the 
mothers are at work, doing patchwork or waiting on 
the sick. Many a time, no doubt, our colored sisters 
have thought, though they may not have expressed it 
in language quite so classic: 



Man works from sun to sun, 
But woman's work is never done. 

Then too, death, whose icy skeleton shows its horrid 
white teeth to white and black alike, would often in- 
vade our rural home, and for a day or two there was 
engrossment for all. There is a strange and weird at- 
tractiveness in death. Women are more excitable than 
men, and on these occasions their lamentations and 
moanings could hardly have been surpassed by Rachel 
weeping for her children. In song their voices were 
rich, mellow, and rhythmic. T remember well how one 
day, about 1858, when a really powerful meeting was 
in progress at Mattapony, during recess the colored 
people gathered outside the west door, and an old 
brother lined out one of the old chorus hymns. The 
crowd caught up the strain, and the music seemed to 
me as near to the seraphic as we ever hear it on earth. 
The best element of the whites were largely in sympathy 
with them in all this, bating some extravagances. 

If Reuben Smith was graceful in handling the wheat 



268 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

cradle, and Warner Hall deft in manipulating the hoe, 
surely Aunt Isabel was the most exquisite baker of 
bread, cake, and pies I ever knew. My mother was 
uniformly good and kind to the negroes, often rising 
from her bed at night to wait upon the sick. I person- 
ally knew a gentleman, who hearing that one of his 
women was sick ten miles away, mounted his horse, rode 
down, and stayed by her all night and saved her life. 

My father bought a frail mulatto named William 
Ferguson. William was a carpenter, a man of quick 
intelligence, eager to learn; I used to sit with him by 
the hour, listening to his sprightly talk and teaching 
him arithmetic, etc. He could draw a plan, fit every 
post, sill, and rafter deftly to its place and finish off 
your house a la mode. I was away at college when 
William died, and it distressed me a good deal. 



HOG-KILLING TIME 

Ah, now you make the small boy's eye kindle and 
his mouth water, for only Christmas itself has greater 
charms for him. It is now the second week in De- 
cember, — the atmosphere is crisp, the earth is frozen 
under our feet, a scum of ice has formed on the water, 
and it is time to make ready. This important event in 
the year's operations began to give signs of its coming 
away back in October, when the slim and crusty pine- 
rooters and Chesters were brought in from the fields. 
Then we make a floor of small saplings, and upon this 
build a pen, say ten by twenty feet. See that you make 
it strong and high, for the hog you will find very much 
like one of General Pickett's men captured at Gettys- 
burg, who, when a fussy Union officer came near the 
pen, and began to give orders for safeguarding the 
prisoners, called out, " General, you give orders to have 
us a plenty to eat, and do it quick, or we won't stay 
here ! " Have a good thick bed of pine-tags in the pen, 
and set in a large water-trough. Now throw in corn 
just from the shuck, with beets, or turnips, now and 
then. This is the process; and now that we have kept 
it up six or eight weeks our porkers are sleek and fat, — 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 269 

they are ready for the shambles. This brings us to the 
gist of our story. 

I heard my father tell old Isaac this morning to bring 
up a load of dry wood and lightwood and dump it 
near the hogpen. Then in the evening come Ben and 
Reuben, who roll up two green logs, swing up between 
them four large boilers and fill them with water. My 
brother and I are observant of all this, and lay our 
plans accordingly. And now to bed (after prayers and 
supper), till a bright light shines in at the window. 
This is all we ask, — we quickly don our clothes, and 
in stocking-feet creep downstairs, and out into the crisp 
night air and the darkness. Guided partly by instinct 
and partly by the kindling firelight, we reach our des- 
tination. The water is boiling now and the porkers 
must die. The boys jump into the pen, old Ben stands 
with butcher knife pointed and keen in hand, and as 
each hog is dragged out he makes one sweeping stroke 
across its throat, then plunges it deep toward the vitals, 
and as the blade is withdrawn, out gushes a stream of 
rich, purple blood. One or two convulsive struggles 
and the poor brute is dead. Then he is plunged head 
foremost into boiling water, after which the bristles fall 
away at the touch. " Cut the tail off, Reuben." And 
this done, we gash it in slices, rub on a pinch of salt, 
let it lie on the live coals a few minutes, — it will crisp 
and curl up, and to a boy's palate is as ambrosia to a 
king. 

We pass by the cutting and curing, for that is com- 
monplace; but when it comes to sausages, spareribs, and 
shortbones, we are there and there to stay till the 
prudent warn us of the nearness of Christmas, and that 
some space must be kept for what that happy season 
has in store for us. 

CHRISTMAS 

And so here we are now at the end of the year, and 
up against the day for which, to the youth of the land, 
all other days were made. We have had our fun in 
hunting old hares, shooting squirrels from the tall trees, 
the robins in the cedars, and the partridges as they 



270 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

hurtle away on the wing. We enjoyed them all, but 
they were only taken by the way as we looked forward 
to this glad fruition. And ofttimes, as we have puffed 
and sweated in the tiresome cornfield, we have cheered 
our fagged spirits by a thought of Christmas, and now 
here it is at last. Will the realization be as fair as 
hope led us to expect? The day is, as Heaven wills 
it, fair and frosty. It is ushered in with a sort of jin- 
gling sound, — not so very musical it must be admitted, — 
though so intended. The sound of a distant horn, then 
a bell ringing, then a chorus of a dozen tin horns, then 
popcrackers, with bursting of bladders, and half a hun- 
dred voices shout, "Hurrah for Christmas!" Then 
the children come rushing in pellmell to tell what won- 
derful things Santa Claus has brought to each, besides 
the stocking full of nuts and candy, — oblivious that pa 
and ma knew it before they did. Then after breakfast 
all hands gather on the porch, where there are piles 
of dresses, coats, hats, blankets, shoes (for old brother 
Cook has been here to dress up the leather), and what- 
nots for every man and woman, boy and girl, — even 
Peggie, yes, Peggie gets her share too. Here, of course, 
are the two Bens, Isaac, DaVy, Coleman, Osborne, 
Jim, Carter, Ottoway, Reuben, Warner, Isabel, Agnes, 
Caroline, dear old Aunt Polly (our mammy), and a 
host of small fry. Each gets his share, and all, white 
and colored, are happy. Now a round of sports and 
frolics, in which colored and white are mingled, and as 
the clock-hands near the hour of one, carriages and 
buggies come laden with brothers and sisters, uncles 
and aunts, and cousins galore, and then comes dinner. 
Taking everything into consideration, the writer has 
nowhere seen such dinners as those. A large turkey 
well fatted and well roasted invariably graced the foot 
of the long table; a ham and cabbage the head; oysters, 
a roast of beef, ducks, souse, hominy, celery, etc., 
flanked them on either side; and after a while, when 
a goodly portion of these have been disposed of, comes 
the desert, — and whew! what an exhibit is here. There 
are pound-cake, sponge-cake, jelly-cake, mince pies, po- 
tato pies, cherry tarts and lemon, with custard and jelly 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 271 

a-plenty; sometimes a plum pudding would be substi- 
tuted for one of these. Here was a feast for the heathen 
gods; better, if possible, it is. All hands of us, master 
as well as the humblest of his slaves, now have a good 
week's rest, and so the year comes to an end. 



SUNDRY DEVELOPMENTS OF CHARACTER 

One of our neighbors owned a bright mulatto boy 
named Thomas, — an active, intelligent, and withal a 
handsome youngster. Thomas was a houseboy, — reared 
to run errands, bring in the food, wait on the table, 
etc. As such he was useful, had he not developed an 
apparently instinctive propensity to pilfer. As he 
brought in the hot biscuits he would slip two or three 
from the plate into his pocket, and so with other viands. 
One day his master noticed that Thomas's pockets 
swelled out beyond the usual proportions, when he 
sprang suddenly up from the table, and with all his 
strength pressed the steaming hot biscuits against the 
poor boy's thigh, till he cried out in pain with the 
burning. It cured him for a time, but he soon returned 
to his old habits, like the sow that was washed. His 
master seeing this, called him up one morning, and said, 
" Thomas, I have warned you again and again about 
this thing, and I have punished you for it, but you will 
persist. You must go out this morning with the field 
hands and work with them." This was the boy's abomi- 
nation, but he must make the best of it, so out he went. 
The hours were long, however, and the sun very hot; 
Thomas shirked and flunked the work whenever he 
could. One day the master suffered it to get out that 
business called him from home. So his saddle horse was 
accoutered for his use, and after a hasty inspection of 
the field he rode off. This was a ruse to catch Thomas. 
The master passed out into the highroad, traveled a 
mile or two, then turned and rode back to the field. 
Missing the boy from the row with the rest of the men, 
he inquired of the head man, and learning he had dis- 
appeared under pretext of wanting a drink of water, 
he rode to the spring and found Thomas sleeping 



272 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

soundly under the shade. Dismounting, he came near, 
and stooping began fanning the sleeper with his wide- 
brimmed straw hat. This was refreshing, and Thomas 
had a splendid nap; but presently, yawning and stretch- 
ing himself, he opened his eyes, and at sight of his 
master he wilted visibly. 

Notwithstanding all this, Thomas proved incorrig- 
ible, and the master sold him South. 

One of our neighbors was Col. P , a gentleman 

of sharp wit and keen observation, large experience, 
and fine conversational powers. Another was a teacher, 

Mr. B , smart and well taught. The two were 

fond of each other's society, and conversed much to- 
gether about law, politics, social matters, religion and 
philosophy. The former had a house-boy named Cor- 
nelius, — short, lubberly, fat, lazy, and black " as they 
are made "; but Cornelius, to do him justice, was politic, 
shrewd, and obsequious. One Sunday afternoon the 
colonel and the professor were discussing the capacity 
and characteristics of the negro race, when the colonel 
asserted that a negro would always do things in the 
inverse order of what was desired. This precipitated 
a hot discussion of an hour, the professor affirming that 
this was abnormal, unnatural, and against all reason, — 
hence could not be so. " Well," said the colonel, " I 
will test it, and you will see. In the next room here is 
a pair of slippers; you go in there, and see that they are 
arranged in proper order, — the right on the right side 
as usual. I will call Cornelius to bring them in here, 
and if he does not invert them I will yield." This was 
done, the boy came and brought in the slippers — cap 
in one hand — put them down, and at his master's word 
went back to his work. In some mysterious way, by 
some uncommon ratiocination, the slippers were in- 
verted, the right on the left side, and vice versa. 

Again, Peter Lewis was a very good worker, 
but slow and dull. His master sent him to the 
upper gate to open an old drain on the right-hand side 
and release some ponding water. After far more than 
the necessary time his master went to see about him 
and found him tugging away, vainly trying to carry 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 273 

the water off by digging a deep ditch on the wrong 
side. 

One day when the father was sick, his little son came 
in saying that he had found quite a pile of corn hid 
under some litter in the stable. Upon inquiry it was 
apparent that the 'ostler had taken advantage of the 
owner's sickness to extract the corn from the crib, and 
to hide it for his own use. The authorities of the law 
got word of it, and Jacob was convicted after trial; but 
the master interceded and the sentence was very light. 



GENERAL MUSTER 

Monday, June 15th, 1838. To-day I am ten years 
old. Being at the store this morning, I heard some 
gentleman talking about the Fourth of July; they said 
it was to be celebrated at the Courthouse; that it was 
also General Muster day; that General Braxton was to 
be there to review the troops; and General Muse is 
coming over from Essex, and the cavalry is to charge 
the infantry. They said the whole county would be 
there and many from outside. My! what a time it 
will be, — we must beg Pa to let us all go. 

Saturday, July 4th. Ma says she will stay to take 
care of the house, but the rest are all to go, — Pa on 
his horse, Billy Button; the girls in the carriage, and 
the boys in the horsecart, which Ottoway is to drive, 
carrying dinner for us all, and horse feed. It is only 
six miles, and we soon passed the Mill. When we 
mounted the hill and came in sight of the Courthouse 
green, the whole place seemed to be filled with men, 
horses, wagons, carts, and carriages. Here and there 
were little tables where men and women sold horse- 
cakes, cup-cakes, round-cakes, and biscuits. We boys 
went for these and soon spent all our money. There 
was great noise and confusion — men and women chat- 
ting, boys, girls, and negroes rushing about, horses 
neighing, and soldiers jostling everybody, with now and 
then an epauletted officer. Presently a shrill voice rang 
out: "Captain Courtney's company parade here! 
parade here! " Then another: " Captain Bland's com- 



274 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

pany parade here!" Another: "Captain Lumpkin's 
company parade here ! " and so on to the end. Pres- 
ently the several companies were brought together 
and aligned; and Major Saunders, seated on his noble 
bay, orders: "Regiment! left face, forward march!" 
I have heard the raven's croak, the eagle's scream, 
the steam whistle, but for an ear-splitting sensa- 
tion I am yet to hear the equal of the fife in the hands 
of Conway Courtney that day, as an accompani- 
ment of his brother James's drum. They were in 
front, and each did his best — for noise they distanced 
everything. Now, we are in the open field, soldiers 
in line, the rabble hanging around, the ladies in 
carriages on the outskirts. Suddenly drum and fife an- 
nounce the coming of officers, — Col. Boyd appears es- 
corting two, one on each side, the generals of brigade, 
each dressed up in burnished uniform, with brass but- 
tons, sword and epaulettes. The colonel rides to the 
front, issues orders, and the whole line passes before 
the great generals for inspection. This done, yet further 
orders are issued, and the entire line is formed into a 
hollow square, the field officers enclosed. Up to this 
time the cavalry have hardly been seen, they are hang- 
ing around in the bushes and over the hills. All at 
once a bugle sounds in the distance, and someone cries 
out: "Here they come! " Like a tornado (not quite 
so fiercely) they sweep down, and now try their best to 
break into the square. The unaccustomed horses, less 
willing than their riders, recoil from the stern faces and 
threatening canes of that square phalanx. Once more 
the attempt is tried, but in vain. The regiment is 
countermarched, and we all dispersed to our homes, tired 
but pleased. Ah ! how little did the youthful and un- 
mindful spectators of that scene dream of the real con- 
flicts, the face-to-face and hand-to-hand conflicts, in 
which they were to bear a part in but little more than 
two decades from that day! 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 275 

A GREAT DAY IN RICHMOND 

One day In October, 1840, my father greatly sur- 
prised me by saying, " Son, I am going to Richmond 
to-morrow, and will carry you with me." Now I had 
hardly ever been out of the county in my life, and be- 
sides, there was to be a great Whig convention in the 
city (it was the year of the exciting campaign for " Tip- 
pecanoe and Tyler too"), the great Daniel Webster 
was to speak, and other notable men. My mother, early 
the next morning, robed me in my best bib and tucker; 
my father climbed to his seat in the sulky, took me 
between his knees, and we set our faces towards the 
great city. I remember that as we passed by Milan 
he stirred me by telling that a man named Campbell, 
who lived there, was cutting down a tree, and by some 
accident the great tree fell on him and buried him in 
the ground, where he was found some hours afterward. 

We crossed the Mattapony at Walkerton, where my 
father stopped on business, and then on to Piping Tree, 
where we crossed the Pamunkey. Then turning west- 
ward we passed Old Church, and so, as the sun neared 
its setting, we drove up to a tavern at the head of 
Mechanicsville turnpike kept by a friend of my father, 
named Achilles Lumpkin, where we slept. Little did 
I dream that night what stirring scenes were to be en- 
acted within twenty years around the little hamlet, 
wherein friends of mine were to shed their lifeblood. 
A son of our host that night was guide to General Long- 
street at Ellyson's Mill, a half-mile away, in June, 
1862. He afterwards told me that in answer to a 
question about crossing the swamp then, he said, " Why, 
General, even a hen couldn't cross there unless she used 
her wings." 

Bright and early the next morning we were off for 
the city. The crowd was astir as we drove up Franklin 
Street and stopped at a stable. My father took me to 
the grocery and commission house of Lewis Webb, with 
whom he traded, and engaged quarters at the " Mansion 
House," both on Main Street. Presently there came a 
noise of mingled shouting, cheering, and music, which 
brought me to the door. A band of music led a long 



276 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

procession of old men, young men and boys, followed 
by carriages, wagons, and carts, filled with officials, 
spealcers, and ladies, — banners and flags floating aloft 
and a rabble of all classes and colors crowding the 
sidewalks. About midway the long line and in the 
middle of the street came a log cabin set on wheels, 
and peeping in I saw coonslcins and great caslcs 
of hard cider, from which last a man, by turning a 
spigot, was giving out the cider to every comer with 
can or pitcher in his hand. Thus they moved on to the 
Capitol square. There a great platform had been 
built out from the giant pillars on the southern front. 
After certain preliminaries and an introduction, the big 
figure and massive head, with a forehead I have never 
seen equaled (I saw him many times in after years 
with Clay and Calhoun in the Senate at Washington), 
stood before the vast crowd and began in low, measured, 
but sonorous tones, his address. I recall something in 
his opening sentence about " this bright October sun "; 
but a treacherous memory, and the passing years, 
have lost to me all beside. The crowd, however, was 
in sympathy with Mr. Webster, and I shall never for- 
get the shout of "Tippecanoe and Tyler too!" It 
carried the election. 



CHAPTER XV 

COLORED PEOPLE OF KING AND QUEEN COUNTY 

To form correct views of this element of our popula- 
tion two things must be done. It were unfair to them 
to put them in contrast with the whites, as a moment's 
reflection will satisfy us. The advantages, environ- 
ments, and opportunities of the two are altogether dis- 
proportionate. Again, if one really desires to know 
whether the colored man has made progress, it is neces- 
sary first to observe his condition of ignorance, super- 
stition, and bestiality while he was yet in his native 
home in Africa. This latter viewpoint is quite as essen- 
tial as the other is erroneous. Avoid the first compari- 
son, give due attention to the second. 

Prom the time of the first settlements north of the 
York and Mattapony they have counted nearly four — 
at times more than four — in every ten of the whole 
population, — men, women, and children taken together. 

In the main it is doubtful whether there ever existed 
a more docile, contented and happy class of people than 
were the colored people of this county under slavery. 
With some exceptions they were comfortably housed, 
clad, and fed. When sick they had the care of the 
family physician and the kind attendance of master and 
mistress — it was to the interest of both parties that 
this should be so. A general holiday was no infre- 
quent occurrence, when everyone was free to employ his 
time as he willed. This was especially true at Christ- 
mas, and for the entire week, when the big backlog 
was rolled on the capacious fireplace, feasting and 
merrymaking were the order of the day. A new suit 
from head to foot came to men, women, and children, 
and often a new blanket for each bed was added. 
Nothing stood in the way of unmeasured joy and 
delight. Besides other facilities, each married couple 

211 



278 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

had adjacent to their cabin a small space set off 
for a garden of vegetables, and in addition each man 
was allowed an acre or two to be cultivated for 
his own use, with time in which to till it. This acre or 
two was usually set in corn, tobacco, or cotton, and its 
product was at his own disposal. 

As is true of the white man, — of men everywhere, — 
they were not all good or all bad, not all unthrifty or 
untidy, nor all deceitful, lazy, and thieving, — not by 
any means. 

Everyone at all acquainted with the negro knows that 
he instinctively takes to religion. Not always with en- 
lightened views, nor yet unmixed with a certain ele- 
ment of superstition, with extravagances, false ideals, 
and in some cases hypocrisy. Yet, taking him alto- 
gether, the negro is a wonderfully religious biped. 
Moreover, here, as elsewhere in other counties and 
States, the negro, as the saying goes, takes naturally to 
the water and is a Baptist. There are fourteen colored 
Baptist churches in the county, and perhaps not twenty- 
five negro communicants of any other denomination. 
Their pastors, of course, are men of color, and generally 
good men, not always well educated. 

Before the Civil War they worshiped in the same 
church with their master, were baptized and attended 
by the same pastor, and came to the Lord's Supper 
along with those they served. In some places, as for 
instance at Bruington and Mattapony, seats were as- 
signed them in one end of the church house. In addi- 
tion, they generally had services peculiarly their own, 
the pastor sometimes attending, and one or more white 
deacons, but the colored brethren doing most of the 
speaking and praying. They sang remarkably well: 
the writer has heard as flowing, melodious, and en- 
thusiastic music, though of course not so artistic, among 
them as anywhere among musical devotees. In our 
opinion, it is safe to say that out from among these 
rude and unlettered assemblages have gone hundreds of 
devoted souls to join the choir invisible, giving praise 
to Him that was slain and lives again. Such was the 
really religious element among the colored people. They 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 279 

were not by any means all religious, and of those who 
were so by profession some were hypocritical and used 
the church as a cloak for their moral deformities. 
These, however, were exceptional cases. 

It were hard to give to our colored people more 
than their meed of praise for the prevailing patience, 
forbearance, and faithfulness amidst many opportuni- 
ties and seductions of freedom during the Civil War. 
At that time nearly all of the white males were In the 
army, yet in a large majority of Instances the men and 
women staid by their mistress and the children, and 
labored on to the end. They deserve a monument. 

It would be going too far to claim that the negro Is 
naturally Inclined to piety, since the inspired word as- 
sures us that " the hearts of men are fully set In them 
to do evil "; but It Is not too much to say that as slaves 
they were more susceptible to religious impressions and 
more ecstatic in their religious joys and experiences than 
is common among men — albeit in general not so wise 
and judicious as most of the other races. 

Perhaps a better and more distinct view can be had 
by presenting the colored people of our county In types 
of the several classes. 

1. Osborne Bowler: Was a house servant belonging 
to Mr. John Bagby. He made no pretense to religion, 
was Indeed prejudiced against it, possibly because he 
saw it on its deformed side in false professors, and 
not in Its reality. Yet he was an Ideal houseman and 
a real gentleman. He stayed by his mistress to the 
last. After the war he bought a few acres of land and 
lived by himself with his family, though he never lost 
the attachment which bound him to the children of his 
old master. Osborne was a man of economy and thrift 
and secured a competency; but he died out of the church. 

2. Washington Lewis: Belonged to Garrett Carl- 
ton near the Courthouse. He was a tall, well formed 
mulatto, a mechanic by trade. He paid his master so 
much per month and pocketed all that remained over 
of his earnings, his master consenting to this arrange- 
ment. He was sincerely religious and a leader among 
his people. Washington was a gifted speaker, being 



^J: 



^80 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

fluent, sensible, self-possessed; and being naturally 
graceful, frequently spoke in their meetings for wor- 
ship. During the war he disappeared and was reported 
as living in Washington city. 

3. Beverly Sparks: Was a slave of Dr. William 
B. Todd at Belmont. He was carriage driver, house 
servant, and body servant, in a word, factotum to his 
master. Beverly was taught to read and write, and 
being bright of mind, gathered a good store of informa- 
tion, which eventually served him in good stead. He 
was a mulatto of bright color. He joined the church 
at an early age, and after the war became an efficient 
minister and pastor at Zion, a branch of old Mattapony. 
Beverly's work, coming at such a time, was fundamental 
and valuable. He left a son, Mark, who is a worthy 
successor of an honored father. 

4. Toliver Ross: Was dark of color, cunning as 
a fox, and sharp as a crow. He belonged in name to 
old Billy Brown, but paying his master a stipend he 
largely controlled his time, using it for his own pur- 
poses. He married a likely girl at Col. P.'s, and there 
most of his time was spent. By certain blandishments 
and tricks of art he quite gained the confidence of the 
colonel, and by and by carried the keys. Soon the 
colonel's wheat and corn bins began to show signs of 
depletion, and he called Ross up and engaged him to 
watch for and catch the rogue. The rogue was never 
caught. 

5. Old Uncle Killis (Achilles) : Might possibly 
have been a native African. He was lean, stoop- 
shouldered, and low in stature, with the characteristic 
thick lips and flat nose; he was gray-headed when I was 
a boy. Some people around were skeptics, and sorne 
wicked, but Uncle Killis believed in " 'ligion " and in 
his pastor (Parson Todd), and was always in his seat 
on the front bench next the partition. He would sit 
calm and attentive for an hour, till by and by the 
preacher kindled into warmth, then you would be sure 
to hear from Uncle Killis. Beginning on a low note, 
but with rising inflection, he would give utterance to a 
peculiar strain, half moan, half groan, presently swell- 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 281 

Ing out and filling every niche and corner of the grand 
old church house, and reechoing from the heavy walls 
and high arched ceiling. The venerable pastor would 
throw a passing glance that way, draw a long breath 
and proceed with his discourse until Uncle Killis waked 
up again. The effect, though passing ludicrous to 
many, was greatly impressive to the few who could 
rightly appreciate the situation. 

6. Charlotte: Was a low, full-set, black woman 
belonging to R. H. B. She was very loud in her pro- 
fession of santification, and sure to be at church. In 
times of revival — indeed she was not particular about 
that, any meeting would do — Charlotte could sing as 
loud, get as happy, and shout as boisterously as any 
of the saints, but unfortunately she had a bad and per- 
sistent habit, which held her all the week, and at spare 
times even on Sunday, of stealing whatever she could 
lay her hands upon, and without respect of persons. 

7. Aunt Miami and her daughter Isabel: Were 
not French but African cooks. They could roast your 
pig or your turkey, boil your Old Virginia ham, bake 
you an oven of bread, or your apple pie, to please the 
palate of an epicure. I have never seen the trained 
colored cook of eastern Virginia surpassed in the culi- 
nary art. 

8. This paper would not be at all complete were 
I to fail to mention " Aunt Polly," the wise though 
sable dominie of the cradle, the trundle bed, and the 
nursery. She was old when I knew her, slow of man- 
ner, dignified in demeanor, dressed in modest fashion, 
with the unfailing headdress of a muslin cap with ruffles 
in front, and was known in every " great house " as 
" Mammy." Mammy Polly was fond of children, 
having once been a child herself; though when that 
far-away time was, the next oldest member of the fam- 
ily had never understood. She knew what to do with 
a baby that was colicky, that had measles, whooping 
cough, sore throat, or the thousand and one maladies 
that affect children. She was about the only person I 
ever knew who could sit and rock a baby all day, and 
hardly leave her seat to eat dinner. The dear old sister 



282 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

is gone now, and I fear me that no one will ever come 
to take her place. True, she was autocratic in her day 
and sphere, but she nursed my grandmother, she nursed 
my mother, she nursed me, and we will never forget 
Mammy. 

9. Her counterpart was " Grannie," whose sole 
business it was to see after the colored brats of all colors 
and sizes, while the mothers spun the cotton, wove the 
cloth, or milked the cow. She wielded the rod too, 
as she was obliged to, the rascallions were so mis- 
chievous. 

10. One other character we must mention, and that 
of some importance — at least in his own estimation. 
It was very common on each one of the large planta- 
tions to have a " head man," who swayed the scepter 
over all the rest of the slaves, himself a colored man: 
" Uncle Robin " was such an one. When master was 
on hand Robin was obsequious and humble, but Robin 
was not honest as the day is long, nor mild as a May 
morn, when master was away; and now, being a public 
officer, was much afield. Should one of the boys conie 
short, or even one of the girls be disobedient, Robin 
was sure to threaten with and often apply the rod, and 
that in no measured way. Indeed, Robin was more an 
object of terror if possible than the dread " overseer." 
A head man was often tyrannical and severe. 

For some years before the war, especially after the 
days of Nat. Turner and the insurrection in Southamp- 
ton county, it was common in every neighborhood to 
have a " patrol," consisting of a half-dozen white men, 
who were to traverse the roads and plantations and see 
that order was preserved among the negroes. Woe 
then to the unlucky darky who was caught away from 
home after nine o'clock in the night, unless indeed he 
was armed with a pass from " Old Master," saying, 
"Tom (Dick, or whatever the name was) has liberty 
to pass to his wife's house," or such like. This gave 
rise to a noted couplet much used in that day: " Run 
boys, run, the patterroU er comin' ". 

Aristocracy among negroes. — We talk much about 
English aristocracy, with its king, barons, dukes, etc., 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 283 

and sometimes we hear a little talk about aristocracy 
even in America. The old-time King and Queen negro 
was as aristocratic as any of them. A slave of one of 
the richer men and on one of the great plantations, 
looked down with a supreme contempt upon his neigh- 
bor who happened to be the property of a poor man. 
One of the latter class could not associate with the lordly 
family of the man of the higher estate, and if such a 
suggestion was made it was met with contempt. Jim 
Hill, who was the property of P. T., was looked upon 
as a " poor man's nigger," but he ventured to aspire 
to the hand of a daughter of Moses Brown, who was 
one of a large body of servants belonging to Col. F. 
*' No, sir! " said Moses, " does dat nigger who 'longs 
to P. T. want to marry a darter of Col. F.'s Moses? 
He shan't have my darter." But Jim did get the girl 
and became very prosperous. — On one occasion soon 
after the war an old colored sister had lost some chick- 
ens, and a man named Jack, formerly belonging to a 
poor neighbor, had been arrested for stealing the chick- 
ens. When he was taken before the court, the good 
woman appeared as a witness against him. The Court, 
addressing the colored woman, said, " Do you know 
this boy?" She answered in the affirmative, saying 
she had known him a long time. " And what is his 
name? " asked the Court; she answered, " His name is 
Jack." _ "Well, who is Jack?" said the Court. " He 
is nothing but Jack, he is a poor white folks' nigger, 
he ain't got no entitle." 



4 



THE COLORED PEOPLE 

By One of Themselves 



A letter from Rev. M. H. Sparks, pastor of Zion 
Colored Church : 

The colored people of King and Queen County, Va., 
are gradually moving up the road to civilization. As 
a whole they are polite and respectable. We are glad 
to say that in many homes family prayers are held every 



284 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

day; from such homes we look for young men and 
women with right principles. 

They are buying land and pulling down the one-room 
log cabins and building up neat frame houses. They 
are buying good teams, nice buggies, farming imple- 
ments, etc. A few have bought sawmills and have gone 
into the lumber business; a few are merchants, — but all 
are trying to make an honest and honorable living. The 
county has sent out some very able colored preachers, 
lawyers, and doctors, who are doing well in their line 
of work. The public schools have been of inestimable 
value to the colored youths of the county by leading the 
young minds from the dungeon of ignorance and super- 
stition to higher planes of civilization. Rev. R. J. 
Ruffin, a very worthy man, has started a high school 
in the upper end of the county, which is doing much 
good in training young men and women to become bet- 
ter citizens and more useful in life. 

The church has been our main source of training, 
spiritually, socially, morally, and financially. We have 
in the county fourteen churches (all Baptist). All of 
these churches have good Sunday schools, where the 
young are taught the word of God every Sunday morn- 
ing. In nearly all of these churches a few faithful 
women have banded themselves together in Home and 
Foreign Mission societies which are doing much good 
in the Master's cause. These churches have a total 
membership of about 3,300 souls. They are pastored 
by upright Christian gentlemen who have the moral 
support and respect of both races. The moral condition 
of the county (among the colored) is largely due to the 
pastors who have taken high ground on all matters 
of morality. They do not teach that morality is 
Christianity, but they do hold that Christians ought to 
be moral in every particular, — having one wife or hus- 
band, being honest in one's dealings with all people, 
and obeying the civil law in every respect. They teach 
that Christianity is more than talk and that people 
who want or expect to be citizens of heaven should 
strive to be good citizens on earth. 

We may not be considered as having gotten on the 



KINCx AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 285 

first round of the ladder, but thank God we have our 
eyes looking; up the ladder, and will climb it some day. 

The feeling between the two races in the county is 
kind and friendly; there may be a few hot heads in 
each race, but the best people of each race have too 
much of the spirit of Christ to cherish any ill will to- 
wards their fellow-men. I may say here that if all of 
this country was like King and Queen County, I be- 
lieve that the subject of the race problem would cease 
to be agitated, and would become as the dead things 
of the past. One of the best white preachers of the 
county said that " There is no race problem." 

We pray that the people of each race who like to 
kindle bad feelings between the races may ever stay 
from the grand old county. 



PART IV 
MISCELLANIES 



CHAPTER XVI 
family and individual records 

Rev. a. Bagby, D. D., Richmond, Va. : 

My Dear Sir — As a lifelong citizen of the county of 
King and Queen, and one whose ancestors for several 
generations have resided there, I naturally feel a deep 
interest in the success of a most worthy enterprise which 
you have undertaken, viz. : to write a brief history of 
this royal old county and its most prominent families. 

If a true history could be obtained of all the families 
of this noteworthy county, it would prove a most valu- 
able contribution to the history of Virginia, as " his- 
tory is biography " and " biography is history." 

As correct data are difficult to obtain, and I am too 
young to have known personally many of the older 
heads of these families, the few incidents I am able to 
relate in this connection must in large measure be tra- 
ditional. No county in the State of Virginia has en- 
joyed more, or more deservedly, the reputation for the 
most conservative citizenship and the highest standard 
of manhood as the leading characteristics of her people. 
Whilst they have always been most zealous advocates 
of religious liberty and the entire divorcement of church 
and state as one of the basic principles of governmental 
faith, yet in the line of duty they have ever been found 
faithful in its discharge, whether in matters pertaining 
to religion or the obligations of citizenship. They ad- 
here strictly to that rule of righteousness, " Render 
therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's, and 
unto God the things that are God's." 

It will not be claimed that this is a peculiar people, 
occupying a higher plane than other people, but owing 
to the isolation of this section there have been fewer 
changes wrought by the influx of foreign population, 
and hence the blood of the cavaliers still courses in the 

289 



290 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

veins of succeeding generations. The most noticeable 
changes now to be observed In the population of this 
grand old county are due to the liberal contributions 
that have been made to other sections by the young 
men, and In many Instances whole families, who have 
gone out over this and other States, forming, as It were, 
streams of blessing to enrich the locality of their adop- 
tion and reflecting credit upon the place of their nativ- 
ity, thus proving themselves worthy sons of noble sires. 
One feature of the early history of the county of King 
and Queen, so far as I am Informed, has never been 
very accurately recorded: I refer to the boundaries of 
the parishes and the locations of the old Established 
churches of Colonial days. 

Bishop Meade's very valuable work on the old 
churches and ministers of Virginia affords the only re- 
liable data we have seen recorded touching this subject, 
and yet that record Is incomplete. 

The county of King and Queen has been called the 
"Shoestring County," because of Its extreme length; 
it stretches out along the northern bank of the Matta- 
pony and York Rivers from Caroline to the Gloucester 
County line, a distance of sixty-five miles, while its mean 
width Is only eight miles. The lower portion of the 
county was comprised In Stratton Major parish, and the 
leading church in that parish was Stratton Major 
Church, the site of which, I have no doubt, has been 
located where the ruins of a church are still visible on 
the Mllford estate, the home place of the late P. Thorn- 
ton Pollard, and now owned and occupied by his grand- 
daughter, Mrs. H. J. Dudley. When or how that 
church was destroyed we are unable to ascertain. A 
church house was built near by, but a few miles higher 
up the county, and called " The New Church," pre- 
sumably to take the place of the one which had been 
destroyed. I suppose the church house now used by the 
Methodists, and known as " The Old Church," to be 
the same as the New Church above referred to. Then 
came St. Stephen's parish, the exact boundaries of 
which I have been unable to ascertain. In that parish 
was no doubt St. Stephen's Church — perhaps the most 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 291 

prominent church in the county. I take it for granted 
that it is the same building now used by the Baptists, 
the name of which has been changed to Mattapony. It 
is a large and substantially built church, in the form of 
a cross, is well preserved and in fine repair. The con- 
gregation which worships there are proud of their in- 
heritance, and worthily use it for the glory of God. 

In Drysdale parish I have traced the distinctly 
marked foundation of the " Park Church," located a 
few miles above Newtown. That church was also in 
the shape of a cross, and from the size of its base, I am 
sure was a large and important structure, though of its 
history I find no record. The rectory, with its walls 
of massive thickness, is still standing, occupied as a 
private residence. There was also in this latter parish 
a chapel located near a small stream which still bears 
the name of Chapel Creek, and the hill beyond is known 
as Chapel Hill. 

You have requested me to give you some account of 
the most prominent families of the upper portion of 
the county of King and Queen, and especially of the 
Dew and Garnett families, from which I am descended. 

The principal land-holders in the upper section of 
the county about the beginning of the nineteenth cen- 
tury were represented by the following names, to wit: 
Beverly, Gatewood, Pendleton, Roane, Dew, Garnett, 
Boulware, Lyne, Pollard, Gresham, Kidd, Henshaw, 
Fogg, Minor, Powers, Hutchinson, Mann, Muse, Bates, 
Lumpkin, and Martin, whilst a little lower down the 
county were Hill, Fauntleroy, Webb, Throckmorton, 
Merriwether, Smith, Ryland, and Fleet. 

Concerning each of the above-mentioned families, 
whose descendants have spread out over an extended 
territory, much of interest might be written if correct 
data could be obtained and space in your book would 
justify. 

My paternal grandfather, Thomas R. Dew, was a 
large land- and slave-owner, and regarded as wealthy 
by the estimate of that day. He was born in 1765, and 
died in 1849; married Miss Lucy Gatewood, who sur- 



292 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

vived him for eight years. As a product of that mar- 
riage there were six sons and three daughters, to wit: 
Dr. WiUiam Dew, Thomas R. Dew (afterwards pro- 
fessor and president of William and Mary College), 
Philip, John W., Benjamin F. (who was my father) , L. 
Calvin, and Mrs. Colonel Hudgins of Mathews, Mrs. 
Colonel Thomas Gresham, and Mrs. Temple. He was 
a member of the Baptist Church, exerted a wide influ- 
ence in his community, and served with distinction as 
captain in the War of 1812. Of the ancestry of 
Thomas R. Dew I have been able to gain very little 
definite information. He was the son of William Dew, 
whose father came from England and settled in Mary- 
land, — William settling in King and Queen County, 
Virginia, and Thomas, a brother, in the county of Nan- 
semond, from which county he (Thomas) served as a 
member of the House of Burgesses. Tradition has it 
that Thomas R. Dew was a descendant of Oliver Crom- 
well, — which impression, I am told, was strengthened 
by the fact that in his personality and sterling charac- 
teristics he was thought to resemble that distinguished 
man, who played a conspicuous part and developed one 
of the strongest characters in English history. 

Dr. WiUiam Dew, the eldest son of Thomas R. Dew, 
located in King and Queen County, married Miss Susan 
Jones of King WiUiam, became an extensive and cele- 
brated practitioner of medicine, and died .greatly la- 
mented by his community. He was the father of three 
sons, Thomas R. Dew, Jr.,' William Dew, Benjamin 
F. Dew, Jr.; and five daughters, Mrs. Hord, Mrs. 
Robert Gresham, Mrs. HiUiard, Mrs. Gregory, and 
Miss Lucy Dew. Thomas R. Dew, Jr., removed to 
Wytheville, Va. One of his sons, H. W. Dew, is a suc- 
cessful physician in Lynchburg, Va., and W. B. Dew 
holds an important government position in the State of 
Wyoming. 

Prof. Thomas R. Dew is the subject of a special note 
in another part of your book. 

Philip Dew married Miss Lucy Dejarnette, and 
located on his fine Windsor estate in Caroline county. 

* Grandson of the first and nephew of the second Thos. R. mentioned. 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 293 

He left three children, Thomas R. Dew, Dr. Philip A. 
Dew, and Mrs. Judge Welch, 

John W. Dew married Miss Pendleton and left three 
children, Miss Mary E. (married Judge A. B. Evans 
of Middlesex), Roderick Dew of Plain Dealing, and 
Alice, who, after the death of her sister, also married 
Judge Evans, and who still lives to bless the Judge's 
home and to be a true helpmeet in his declining years. 

Benjamin F. Dew, A. M. and B. L. of William and 
Mary College, lawyer, farmer, and teacher, was twice 
married, first to Miss Mary Susan Garnett, and after 
her death to Miss Bettie Queensberry. His eldest son, 
Dr. J. Harvie Dew, is enjoying a large and lucrative 
practice in the city of New York, where he settled in 
1868, immediately after his graduation at the Univer- 
sity of Virginia. John G. Dew, second and only other 
surviving son of Benjamin F., after his graduation in 
the law department of the University of Virginia, set- 
tled in his native county of King and Queen, where he 
practiced his chosen profession of the law for many 
years, being Judge of the County Court for sixteen 
years, and is now Second Auditor of the State of Vir- 
ginia. He married Miss Lelia, daughter of Dr. Samuel 
G. Fauntleroy of the same county. 

L. Calvin Dew married Miss Boulware and died in 
early manhood, leaving four children, Mrs. Thomas B. 
Henley, Mrs. A. C. Acree, D. Boone Dew, — who 
yielded up his life on the altar of his country, having 
been killed in the first engagement after joining Com- 
pany H, Ninth Virginia Cavalry, — and Robert S. Dew. 

Of the three daughters of the first Thomas R. Dew, 
Mrs. Colonel Hudgins was the mother of Colonel Wil- 
liam P. Hudgins, who holds an important railway posi- 
tion in the State of Texas; Mrs. Temple left no chil- 
dren; and Mrs. Colonel Gresham, had five sons. Rev. 
Edward Gresham (who was the father of Walter Gres- 
ham of Galveston, Texas) , Colonel T. Robert Gresham, 
William D. Gresham, Dr. Henry Gresham, and Dr. 
Charles Gresham, all of whom were prominent men in 
their respective spheres and localities. 

Colonel Reuben Merriwether Garnett, my maternal 



294 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

grandfather, was the son of Reuben Garnett, and his 
mother was a Miss Jamison. Colonel Garnett married, 
first, Miss Pendleton, a daughter of Captain James 
Pendleton, who served with distinction in the War of 
the Revolution. From this marriage two sons and two 
daughters survived him. Dr. John Muscoe Garnett, 
the elder son, married Miss Hancock of Chesterfield, 
and lived at his beautiful country home, Lanefield, in 
King and Queen County. The radiating influence of 
his Christian life was shed over the whole community 
as It was most beautifully exemplified in his own home. 
His only surviving son, John M. Garnett, Jr., with his 
sisters, Misses Nannie and Fannie, still reside at the 
old homestead. Of the elder daughters, Mrs. Dr. C. H. 
Ryland resides In Richmond, Va., Mrs. Dr. W. L. 
Broaddus at Bowling Green, Va., and Mrs. Rev. F. B. 
Beale at Indian Neck, Va. 

R. M. Garnett, the other son of Colonel Garnett, 
lived through a long and happy life at Peach Grove In 
King and Queen; he married Miss Bettle A. Williams 
of Fredericksburg, and left the following children: 
Muscoe H. Garnett, a prominent merchant of Rich- 
mond; James W. Garnett of King and Queen; Mrs. 
Gresham, the widow of Colonel William Gresham; 
Mrs. Fleet, the widow of James R. Fleet, Jr.; and Mrs. 
Rev. F. W. Claybrook. 

Colonel Garnett's daughters were Mrs. Benjamin F. 
Dew, mentioned heretofore, and the first Mrs. John 
N. Ryland, who was the mother of Mrs. Joseph H. 
Gwathmey of King William County, and of John N. 
Ryland, Jr., of King and Queen. Colonel Garnett left 
no children by his second marriage, with Miss 
Hutchinson. 

The Garnetts were among the best people In the land, 
universally respected and beloved, and were noted for 
their modesty and gentleness of bearing. Colonel Reu- 
ben M. Garnett was a man of unusual business qualifi- 
cations, backed by a sound judgment, and his aid and 
advice were as frequently sought as they were freely 
given. Though not a lawyer by profession, such was 
the confidence of the people In his judgment and capac- 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 295 

ity that he was frequently consulted in regard to legal 
matters, and it is probable that no lawyer in the county 
was called on to prepare so many deeds and wills as he 
was, and, so far as the writer is informed, not one was 
ever overturned if attacked. 

Of the Boulware family, there were two half-broth- 
ers, Mr. Lee Boulware and Leroy Boulware. The 
former had a son, John Boulware, a professor in the 
Columbian College, succeeded for a short time by his 
brother William, who afterwards served as Minister 
to Naples, during the administration of President James 
K, Polk. Mr. A. L. Boulware, a prominent attorney 
and president of the First National Bank of Richmond, 
Va., was a grandson of Leroy Boulware. Mr. J. B. 
Kidd, a prominent merchant, and manufacturer of the 
famous " Pinmoney Pickles," and Dr. W. L. Broaddus, 
a distinguished physician of Bowling Green, Va., are 
grandsons of Lee Boulware. 

All the families whose names are referred to above 
were of the type of the old Virginia gentry, who lived 
in comfort on their well-tilled farms. Every such plan- 
tation was a miniature principality where slavery ex- 
isted, 'tis true, in name as well as legal form, but so 
gentle was the discipline that it resembled in regulation 
a large, well-ordered family, where kindness and con- 
sideration combined to produce the utmost good feeling 
and contentment; which tended to the betterment of both 
classes. I esteem it a great privilege to have been per- 
mitted to get an insight into the habits and customs, the 
home life and domestic relations, which prevailed on 
the old Virginia plantations in the ante-bellum days. 
No man or set of men, who never entered into the sacred 
precincts of that life, can begin to appreciate, much less 
describe, the contentment and happiness which then pre- 
vailed on the part of the negro as well as his protector 
and humane benefactor. The latter, though nominally 
and legally his master, was in the truest sense the negro's 
next friend and guardian, 

I can truly say that, in the abstract, I do not believe 
in the institution of slavery, that I am sincerely grateful 



296 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

for its abolition before I could become the owner of 
one. But from my youthful impressions of conditions 
as they prevailed in that section of Virginia, the leisure 
afforded for cultivation and improvement on the part 
of the whites, and the civilizing and educational advan- 
tages afforded the negro by his contact and association, 
even though in a menial position, with the whites, pro- 
duced an Interdependence and a refining influence upon 
both races which does not and cannot now exist. It was 
not unusual to find among the butlers, coachmen, and 
body servants of " ye olden time," In manner and de- 
portment, a perfect model for Lord Chesterfield, 
a specimen of the true gentleman in grace and elegance. 
No system of education that has been or ever will be 
devised can by any possibility, with the new-issue negro, 
produce either a class or an Individual of that degree of 
educational refinement. 

Coming on life's stage just in time to catch some in- 
spiration from the golden age of Virginia's history, be- 
tween the years 1850 and i860, to witness and In some 
measure to participate In the fiercest revolutionary strug- 
gle ever recorded In the annals of history, to suffer the 
pangs and humiliation of defeat, and then pass through 
the far worse period of reconstruction, my youthful im- 
pressions have strengthened with the passing years, that 
the intrepid courage and valor of the sons of Virginia 
and the Southland should challenge the admiration of 
the world. And the subsequent struggle with poverty, 
beset with difi'icultles on every hand, seeking to steer the 
ship of State between the breakers, to provide for the 
education and upbuilding of the rising generation, and 
at the same time carry the load of an emancipated race 
whose lowest passions and prejudices have been ap- 
pealed to, — not for their good or elevation, but to clog 
and impede the progress of resuscitation and civiliza- 
tion and the upbuilding of the Anglo-Saxon race, — has 
no parallel In ancient or modern history. No people 
have ever met more bravely the obstacles and dangers 
in their pathway than the people of this Southland. No 
stronger evidence could be adduced of the character 
and manhood of their ancestors, than the chivalry, 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 297 

courage, and manliness exhibited by the sons in the 
worse than " fiery furnace " through which they have 
passed, yet with honor untarnished and presenting a 
self-sacrificing nobility unequaled in the world's his- 
tory. The consciousness of duty faithfully performed 
is the God-given reward of the Confederate soldier, but 
the memory of his self-sacrificing devotion and patri- 
otic endeavors should ever animate the Southern heart, 
and arouse feelings of the deepest gratitude in the breasts 
of all future generations. Indeed, every true Ameri- 
can citizen, fired by the zeal of a broad-minded patriot- 
ism, will look with admiring gaze upon the most won- 
derful exhibition of valor and heroism ever recorded in 
any age. 

The upper portion of King and Queen County, from 
an early period down to the present time, has been 
blessed with a succession of good schools, which aided 
materially in training the sturdy youth of the commu- 
nity in the way of truth and knowledge. The first 
school of which we have any information was taught 
by Mr. Donald Robertson, who was famous as 
a teacher. President Madison when a youth attended 
that school, and a story is related of his impres- 
sions of that section, to the effect that, years after- 
wards, Mr. Madison inquired of Mr. Roane, the Rep- 
resentative of that district in Congress, " How are the 
people in Drysdale parish getting along? " He further 
said that he was greatly impressed as a boy with the 
poverty of the land and the fact that the farmers traded 
lands every March (evidently having reference to the 
sandy soil and the effect on it of the March winds). 
Mr. Roane bore willing testimony to the prosperous 
condition of the people, and remarked that, if a large 
loan were desired, that was the only portion of his dis- 
trict which could readily furnish the accommodation. 
A succession of good schools followed continuously up 
to the breaking-out of the Civil War, and indeed till 
the establishment of a system of public free schools. 

I am aware that this paper is but a rambling sort of 
review of a section of the county of King and Queen in 
which my life has been spent. By one, at least, I can 



298 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

say that this territory will ever be regarded as hallowed 
ground, and that he does and will continue to cherish a 
sacred memory of the noble names herein recorded, 
whether the same is the result of kinship, personal 
knowledge, historical data, or only a legend of the past. 
With great respect, I am. 

Yours truly and fraternally, 

John G. Dew. 

We give here extracts from a letter from the vener- 
able and beloved Dr. William F. Bland, who passed 
away in a year or two after this writing: 

Glencoe Station, July 4th, 1902. 
Esteemed Friend: 

Your very acceptable letter of the 21st was duly re- 
ceived. I would have answered it sooner, but have been 
quite unwell. I greatly appreciate your expressions of 
sympathy for my wife and myself in our bereavement, 
and shall never forget the earnest prayer you made for 
the recovery of my dear Willie when he had typhoid 
fever. Wife and I are both feeble and have many in- 
firmities belonging to old age. I am already older 
than any of my ancestors, being seventy-five, and am 
trying so to live that I may meet my dear children 
and other loved ones in the spirit world. It would give 
me great pleasure to meet you and talk over the past. 
I wish you the best of success in writing the annals of 
the old county, though I do not think that I can render 
you much help. The Laneville House (Corbin place) 
was built in Colonial times of brick — I think it was 
one hundred feet long by twenty feet wide — and was 
occupied by Richard Corbin, the king's deputy receiver- 
general. It was heired by his son, James Park, whom 
I can recollect. My father purchased it in 1858. 

Pleasant Hill was a large two-story brick building, 
about fifty-two by forty feet, built before the Revolu- 
tion by Augustine Moore of Chelsea for John, com- 
monly called Speaker Robinson, who married his daugh- 
ter Lucy. It was owned by the Henry family after- 
wards. 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 299 

Newington, the birthplace of Carter Braxton and of 
other prominent men, was a large two-story building; 
was afterwards owned by the Harwood family, notably 
Samuel F. Harwood. 

Clifton, I have heard, was owned by Speaker Robin- 
son, and occupied by his daughters, one of whom mar- 
ried Col. William Boyd. Both the house here and the 
one at Newington were burned and each was rebuilt, the 
latter by Capt. R. H. Spencer. 

You requested a brief sketch of my father and others. 
Col. Robert Bland was born May, 1800, and was 
twelve years old when his father, Capt. Robert Bland, 
served in the War of 1812. My father was an ex- 
tensive farmer, colonel of militia, presiding justice of 
the court, and died in his seventy-first year. Dr. James 
T. Boyd, my uncle, was born in 1806; was a successful 
physician and farmer, and died in 1855. I graduated 
in medicine in 1849 — was the oldest of twelve children. 
Dr. James E. Bland graduated in medicine in 1856, 
and died in his sixty-seventh year; was a good physician 
and citizen. Col. Robert M. Spencer, who lived at 
Clifton, was a prominent and highly esteemed citizen. 
Capt. Robert H. Spencer served in the Confederate 
army, is also a highly esteemed citizen. Alexander 
Dudley, a talented lawyer, was the founder of the Rich- 
mond and York River Railroad and its president when 
he died. There were many other worthy and reliable 
citizens in the same neighborhood, among them J. W- 
Courtney, Samuel Tunstall, Dr. Garrett, and his 
brother, Thomas W., W. B. Bird, Samuel F. Harwood, 
and others. 

In regard to churches in the neighborhood, the " Old 
Church " must have been built in Colonial times, judg- 
ing from a tombstone near it over two hundred years 
old. I have heard that it was sold, bought by a man 
named Smith and given to the Methodists. When I 
was a boy it was used by the Methodists and Baptists, 
but the latter built another house near by (Olivet). 
Very truly and sincerely your friend, 

Wm. F. Bland. 



300 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

CAPTAIN A. F. BAGBY, 

Was the second captain of Company K, Thirty-fourth 
Virginia Infantry, J. R. Bagby, the first captain, having 
been promoted major. 

By himself: 

" Alexander Fleet Bagby was born at Stevensville, 
King and Queen. Attended school at Stevensville, 
Richmond College, and V. M. I.; was among the first 
to enlist in defense of Southern rights, and was active 
in organizing the King and Queen Artillery — after- 
wards infantry; was elected lieutenant at the organiza- 
tion, subsequently captain; after the war, in business in 
Richmond, and then located in Tappahannock, Va. 
Married F. S. Walker." 

EDWARD BENJAMIN BAGBY, 

Son of the foregoing, was born in King and Queen Sep- 
tember 29th, 1865; educated at Aberdeen Academy, 

University, and Yale Divinity School; was 

located as a minister at Clifton Forge, Va., then at New- 
port News. In 1891 he was located at Washington, 
D. C; chaplain in Congress, 1893 ; pastor of 

Church in Washington, 1891 to the present 

time; in eight years this church has enrolled eight hun- 
dred members. Married Virginia May Grirnes of 
Baltimore. A second son of Captain Bagby, Richard, 
is also an efficient minister. 

DR. RICHARD HUGH BAGBY 

Richard Hugh Bagby, D. D., born June 16, 1820; 
married Motley; died October 29th, 1870. A son of 
John, 1791-1878. Educated at Richmond and Colum- 
bian Colleges; taught a session or two and studied law, 
but answering a higher call, was ordained at Mattapony 
in 1842, and became pastor at Brulngton, which he 
served twenty-seven years; in 1869 was made field sec- 
retary of the Baptist State Mission Board, in which 
office he died. His body reposes under a monument at 
Brulngton. 

He was for a time president of the General Associa- 




TlllJMAS KOANK DEW 

Professor of Philosophy and President of the College 
of William and Marj-. 



PACING 300 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 301 

tion, and always an active participant in that and other 
kindred bodies. His preaching was practical, evangel- 
ical, pungent, and wonderfully forceful, acceptable, and 
effective, and he was In great demand wherever known. 
One who knew him well, himself a cultured and able 
man, says: " Dr. Bagby was one of the foremost men 
Virginia has given to the world." One of the most 
prominent and able citizens of Richmond says: "He 
was one of the two greatest men I ever met." 

Dr. Bagby's sayings on his deathbed were embalmed 
In the Religious Herald, having been published more 
than once. He left two brothers, both having the D. D. 
from their Alma Mater, Columbian College, one at 
one time president of the Baptist General Association 
of Kentucky. Rev. H. A. Bagby, D. D., now of South 
Carolina, Is his nephew, as also is A. Paul Bagby, 
Ph. D., of Kentucky. 

CARTER BRAXTON 

Carter Braxton, a signer of the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence, was a son of George and Mary Braxton, of 
Newington, whose bodies are Interred at Mattapony 
Church, King and Queen. Mary was a daughter of 
Robt. Carter, President of Council. Carter was born at 
Newington Sept. lo, 1736, and died at Elsing Green, 
King William, Oct. 6, 1797. Carter graduated at 
William and Mary at the age of 19; married Judith 
Robinson of Middlesex. He was a member of the Vir- 
ginia Committee of Safety named at the beginning of 
the Revolution. He served as a member of the Conti- 
nental Congress from 1777 to 1783, and in 1785 on 
Commission of Public Safety with Thos. Jefferson; re- 
ceived vote of thanks from the Virginia Assembly. He 
had quite a number of descendants, notably Hon. El- 
liott Braxton, M. C; Col. Carter Braxton, A. 
N. v., and Hon. A. C. Braxton of Staunton, mem- 
ber of the Constitutional Convention of 1902. 

The Virginia Historical Society, acting through Mrs. 
R. N. Pollard, their King and Queen representative, has 
recently made an appropriation for restoring and relet- 
terlng the tomb of George and Mary Braxton. 



302 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

COLONEL JOHN M. BROOKE 
(From the Richmond Evening Leader) 

Lexington, Dec. 15, 1906. — Colonel John M. 
Brooke, emeritus professor of physics and astronomy at 
the Virginia Military Institute, died here yesterday 
from the infirmities of old age. He was seventy-nine 
years old, and was one of Lexington's most distin- 
guished citizens. 

He was born near Tampa, Fla., December i8th, 
1826, and was the son of General George M. Brooke 
of Virginia, a distinguished soldier of the War of 18 12. 
His mother was Miss Lucy Thomas of Duxbury, Mass. 
At the age of fifteen he entered the United States Navy, 
and reported to Captain Farragut on the Delaware. 
Later he was transferred to the sloop-of-war Cyene. 
Returning home he entered the naval school at 
Annapolis. 

He graduated in 1847, and several years later was 
on the coast survey. From 185 1 to 1853 he was sta- 
tioned at the Naval Observatory, Washington, D. C. 
For several years previous to i860 he cruised in Jap- 
anese and Chinese waters, making surveys of islands in 
the Pacific and a part of the eastern coast of Japan. 
The destruction of his vessel by a typhoon occurring in 
1859 while in Yeddo, Japan, Brooke remained at Yoko- 
hama until the following year. When the Japanese de- 
termined to send an embassy to the United States, 
Brooke was invited to accompany the vessel, which he 
consented to do. 

His services were so highly appreciated by the Jap- 
anese that they offered him a purse of $60,000, but he 
refused to take anything. 

Captain Brooke cast his lot with the Confederate 
navy in the Civil War, and in 1861 applied, in the con- 
struction of the Virginia (the Merrimac), the principle 
of extended and submerged ends. 

His Invention of deep-sea sounding apparatus revo- 
lutionized communications between Europe and Amer- 
ica, as it made possible the laying of the first intercon- 
tinental telegraph line In the world. The Virginia 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 303 

(Merrimac) was his suggestion. In 1866 Colonel 
Brooke was appointed professor of physics at the Vir- 
ginia Military Institute. 

His first wife was Miss Lizzie Garnett, sister of Gen- 
eral Richard Brooke Garnett. His second wife, who 
survives, was a Miss Corbin. Two children also sur- 
vive. Lieutenant George M. Brooke, of the United 
States Army, and Mrs. Willis, wife of Professor H. 
Parker Willis, of Washington and Lee University. 

THE BROOKE FAMILY 

Compiled from " Virginia Historical Records," by Professor St. George 

T. Brooke. 

1. Humphrey, died 1738. 

2. Colonel George, of Mantapike, born 1728; died 
April, 1782; was a member of the House of Burgesses, 
of the Committee of Safety, the Virginia Convention, 
and was colonel in the Virginia division of the Revolu- 
tionary army. 

Robert Brooke, Knight of the Golden Horseshoe, was 
a brother of Humphrey. A second brother was Wil- 
liam, who had four sons, — Richard of Mantapike, John, 
William, Jr., and Robert. Richard probably inherited 
Mantapike from his grandfather. General George 
Mercer Brooke, a son of Richard, entered the army in 
1808, was major in battles of Lundy's Lane and Fort 
Erie in 18 14, and was promoted to major-general. 

HON. BENNEHAN CAMERON 

In June, 1905, many of the people about King and 
Queen Courthouse were much interested by the coming 
into their midst of a handsome, portly gentleman, a 
distant relative of the Harwoods and others, whose 
name heads this sketch. He appeared a man of culture, 
refined instincts, patriotism, and high moral character- 
istics, and he met a most cordial reception. Mr. Cam- 
eron was born fifty years ago in Stagville, N. C. His 
father was Hon. Paul Carrington Cameron, one of the 
most valuable citizens of North Carolina. His pater- 
nal grandfather was Judge Duncan Cameron, one of 
the ablest jurists of his time. We are pleased to note 



304 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

that this gentleman Is to be counted a great-grandson of 
old King and Queen, inasmuch as his relationship to the 
distinguished Chief-Justice Ruffin was that of grand- 
son. He is a graduate of the Virginia Military Insti- 
tute of July 4th, 1875 ; is one of the leading agricultur- 
ists and stock-breeders of the State; and has been asso- 
ciated with a number of the great men of the country. 
He served most acceptably as president of the North 
Carolina Agricultural Society, and was among the fore- 
most agents in the establishment of the great Seaboard 
Air Line Railroad. The writer of the sketch from 
which this is taken adds to all this that Colonel Cam- 
eron could have had any office in the gift of his people, 
so greatly was he honored among them. 

COL. WILLIAM CAMPBELL, 

Who was a captain in the Revolutionary War, was 
from King and Queen County, and a close friend of 
Gen. Washington. He raised a quota of men in King 
and Queen and was assigned to duty with the First Vir- 
ginia regiment. After the war he was commissioned 
major in the regular army, and assigned to command 
the arsenal at Harper's Ferry. He resigned about 
1800. (See Heitman's Historical Register of United 
States Army.) 

Judge John G. Dew — now Second Auditor of Vir- 
ginia — kindly sends the following regarding his distin- 
guished relative, that accomplished scholar, 

PROF. T. R. DEW 

" Thomas Roderick Dew, son of Thomas R. Dew 
and Lucy Gatewood, his wife, was born in King and 
Queen County, December 5th, 1802. His father was 
a large land- and slave-holder in that county, who had 
served for a short time in the War of the Revolution 
and was a captain in the War of 1 8 1 2. Thomas R., the 
son, was graduated from William and Mary College in 
1820, after which he traveled two years in Europe. 

"On October i6th, 1826, he was elected Professor 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 305 

of History and Political Law in William and Mary Col- 
lege. The chair of history, which was established for 
the first time under Rev. Robert Keith, in 1820, was de- 
v'eloped by Mr. Dew into one of the first importance. 
At that time history and political science were scarcely 
known among the studies of an American college. In 
1836 Mr. Dew became president, and the college, under 
his enlightened management, achieved a degree of pros- 
perity never previously known. In 1840 the number of 
students in attendance was one hundred and forty. The 
time was one of great political activity, and his lectures 
on the restrictive system, depicting the evils of the tariff 
system, were very popular, not only with the students, 
but with the Southern public, and are thought to have 
had much weight in shaping the opposition to the tariff 
laws of 1828 and 1832. His essay in favor of slavery 
had a marked effect, it is said, on the slavery question. 
But his greatest work was his " Digest of the Laws, 
Customs, Manners, and Institutions of Ancient and 
Modern Nations," embracing lectures delivered to his 
class. Dr. Herbert B. Adams pronounced this work 
the most thorough and comprehensive course on history 
of which he had found any record during this early 
period. Mr. Dew contributed largely to the Southern 
Review. In 1845 he married Miss Matilda Hay, 
daughter of Dr. Hay of Clarke County, Va., and died 
suddenly on his wedding trip. The faculty bore formal 
testimony in their minutes that it was difficult to decide 
whether his wisdom as president, his ability as a pro- 
fessor, or his excellence as a man, was most to be ad- 
mired. 

"He died in Paris, France, August 6, 1846." 

EUBANK FAMILY 

Coldwater, King and Queen Co., Va., 

November loth, 1904. 
Dear Brother Bagby: 

In answer to your inquiry, my great-grandfather was 
named William, and great-grandmother was named 
Jane, and my grandfather Richard was born June nth, 



306 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

1767. My grandmother was named Elizabeth, born 
October 23d, 1768. They raised six children, three 
boys and three girls. My father was the fifth child, 
named Philip Eubank, born May 28th, 1806; married 
Susan Jeffries in the year 1828. My father died the 
seventh day of March, 1848, some forty-two years old; 
left five boys, all very young. My mother lived thirty- 
eight years, one month and twenty-two days longer than 
my father; she left four sons; brother John was killed 
in the battle around Petersburg on the 15th day of June, 
1864. She left only four sons, twenty-three grand- 
children, and six great-grandchildren. My father was 
said to be one of the very best of men, lived and died 
member of the Mattaponia Church, under the pastorate 
of old Brother William Todd. If my good old super- 
intendent, Colonel John Pollard, was living, he could 
give you the history of my father. Brother William 
Todd baptized me the 23d day of August, 1848. I was 
then only fourteen years old; afterwards you became my 
pastor until I moved to the neighborhood of Ware's 
Church. The old Mattaponia has now a dear place in 
my heart; there I was brought up in the Sunday school 
under the leadership of Brother John Pollard, superin- 
tendent, and under your pastoral care. I often think of 
you along with my boyhood days, and never can forget 
you. Whenever I have the privilege to meet you I feel 
like saying. Here is my first pastor and teacher in the 
Gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. I revere 
and reverence you as no other pastor, though I have 
had four since. I have loved all the pastors that have 
presided over me. I am quite old now, in my seventy- 
first year, occupying some important places in my 
church; deacon ever since 1857, superintendent of the 
Sunday school for a number of years, treasurer for 
twenty years. As you are my father in Gospel, is why 
I name these different places holding in my church, by 
no means in a boastful spirit. My dear brother, if I 
am saved it will be by the unmerited grace of God. 
Your Brother I hope in Christ, 

William J. Eubank. 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 307 

CHARLES B. FLEET, 

Youngest son of Dr. Christopher B. and Lucy Anne 
Fleet {nee Semple), was born at Mordlngton in 1843. 
His mother — widowed — was married in 1853 ^^ •^^'^• 
William F. Broaddus, and removed to Fredericksburg. 
Mr. Fleet served through the war of '6i-'65 in the 
Fredericksburg Artillery, the first permanent officers of 
which were: Carter M. Braxton, captain, Edward S. 
Marye, first lieutenant, etc. He was in all the principal 
battles of the war, and surrendered with General Lee 
at Appomattox. His battery fired the first shot in the 
battle of Gettysburg and the last artillery shot at 
Appomattox. 

COLONEL ARCHIBALD R. HARWOOD, 

Was a son of Margaret Roane, a daughter of Thomas 
Roane; was born at Newington. He was for long years 
a member of the Virginia House of Delegates, and then 
of the Senate of Virginia. He was nominated by the 
Democratic party for Congress, and defeated by the 
late R. M. T. Hunter, who was elected by seventeen 
votes. 

SAMUEL FAUNTLEROY HARWOOD 

Samuel Fauntleroy Harwood, lawyer, son of Archi- 
bald Roane Harwood and Martha Fauntleroy, was born 
at the country home, Newington, King and Queen 
County, February 26th, 18 17; educated at Rumford 
Academy and in Richmond; served for ten years as dep- 
uty clerk of King and Queen County. In 1847 he was 
elected to the State Senate and served three years, being 
the unexpired term of Carter M. Braxton, deceased; 
declined reelection; studied law while a member of the 
Senate, and practiced his profession successfully up to 
the commencement of the war. During the period of 
the war he acted as secretary and treasurer of the Rich- 
mond and York River Railroad Company, and after the 
war was one of the directors. In the spring of 1867 
he removed to Texas and for about twenty months 
maintained a law partnership with his brother. Major 



308 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

T. M. Harwood; returned to his old home in Virginia 
at the end of 1868, and resumed the practice of his pro- 
fession. Married Bettie Brockenbrough March i6th, 
1869. He was for many years vestryman in the Epis- 
copal Church. On Wednesday, May 23d, 1906, he 
died, leaving behind him a beautiful example of an up- 
right Christian gentleman. 

COLONEL THOMAS MOORE HARWOOD, 

A brother of S. F., born September, 1827; died Janu- 
ary, 1900; married Brown; educated at Uni- 
versity of Virginia and Ballston Spa, N. Y.; removed to 
Texas in 1850, and practiced law at Gonzales. In 1880 
was tendered a seat on supreme bench of Texas, but de- 
clined. Was for years regent of University of Texas. 
In June, 1861, joined army of C. S. A., and was captain 
and subsequently colonel. Was at battles of Corinth 
and Holly Springs, and afterwards served in Forest's 
command. Colonel Harwood was a courtly gentleman 
and a Christian, which is the highest type of man. 

DR. W. S. B. HENRY 
[Falls Church, Va., Dec. 15th ] 

The death of Dr. William Scarborough Braxton 
Henry came as a shock to his friends and loved ones. 
It occurred suddenly on Saturday in Falls Church, Va., 
at the residence of his grandniece. Miss Sallie S. Beach. 
He had been sick but a week, and it was thought that 
danger was passed, when he was stricken with heart 
disease. 

His funeral took place this afternoon at 2 o'clock, 
the interment being made in Oakwood Cemetery. 

Dr. Henry had lived more than the threescore and 
ten years allotted to man. He was " an old Virginia 
gentleman " in every sense of the word, and by his 
courteous and affable manners made many friends among 
both old and young. He belonged to the old genera- 
tion that is fast dying out. 

He was born at the old homestead. Pleasant Hill, 
King and Queen County, Va., August 6th, 1827, but 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 309 

spent about twenty-five or thirty years in Washington. 
His father, Colonel James Hugh Henry, son of Judge 
James Henry, of the Continental Congress, was an 
officer in the War of 1812, fought at Norfolk, Va., and 
also in the District of Columbia at the time of the burn- 
ing of Washington by the British forces under General 
Ross and Admiral Cockburn. Colonel Henry was twice 
married; his first wife, Anne Elizabeth Braxton, was 
the granddaughter of Carter Braxton, signer of the 
Declaration of Independence. Dr. Henry was this 
wife's son. His second wife, Anne Catherine Temple, 
received from the United States government until the 
time of her death a pension on account of the disability 
of her husband contracted during the War of 18 12. 
This pension was carried to her during the Civil War 
through the Confederate lines under a flag of truce. 
The Colonel's six sons — three by each wife — were offi- 
cers in the Confederate army. 

Dr. Henry enlisted in Company B, Fortieth Virginia 
Regiment, serving six months, when he was appointed 
surgeon and sent to the Fourth Division of Camp Win- 
der, and then to take charge of Camp Lee and Batteries 
Nos. 9 and 10. Afterwards he was made president of 
the Examining Board of the Confederate States. He 
resigned December 22d, 1863, going to his farm, 
" Shellie," in Richmond County, where he remained 
until the close of the war. He is survived by a half- 
brother. General Edward Moore Henry, of Norfolk, 
Va., ex-commander of the Grand Camp of Confederate 
Veterans of Virginia. 

At one time he attended Richmond College, after- 
wards graduating in medicine from Jefferson College 
in Philadelphia. He was well known in many counties 
in Virginia as a physician. 

During President Hayes' administration he was sent 
as physician to the Omaha and Winnebago agencies, 
in Nebraska. While there he was presented with the 
" Sauntee Peace Pipe," by the chief of the tribe. Later 
he was a clerk in the Patent Office. 

Dr. Henry was a member of one of the proudest 
and most distinguished families of the Old Dominion. 



310 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

It Is the same as that which produced the Immortal 
Patrick Henry. He Is a lineal descendant of Sir Alex- 
ander Spotswood, one of the Colonial governors. The 
family Is also related to the Braxtons, Scarboroughs, 
Carters of Shirley, Lees, Washlngtons, Moores of Chel- 
sea, Robinsons, Nelsons, Pages, and others equally well 
known. He married Miss Lucy Dalngerfield. 

Dr. Henry had been a member of the Baptist Church 
since his young manhood. He was a Christian gentle- 
man, noble, brave, and true. 

JONES FAMILY 

The following are extracts from a letter to the editor 
by Hon. Alexander C. Jones, who left King and Queen 
In 1859 for Arkansas with his mother (Mary Courtney, 
widow of Hill Jones). The children were Elonlsa, 
Thyresa Ann, Martha Jane, Amelia, Alexander C, 
William, and Hill, Jr. Alexander C. was a captain 
C. S. A. and a member of his State legislature. Hav- 
ing been wounded at the Wilderness battle he came to 
King and Queen on furlough; was at my house when 
Sheridan raided us in 1864, and missed capture nar- 
rowly. He was with us at the Reunion in May, 1907. 
A chivalrous soldier, a fine citizen, a Christian gentle- 
man: 

" About myself there Is not much to write. Wife 
and I are In reasonably good health for old people. 
I will have lived to be seventy-five on the 8th of next 
March, my wife two years younger. 

" We have four children, two sons and two daughters. 
My oldest son, Courtney, lives in Oklahoma and is do- 
ing well. Laman lives with me and is our main sup- 
port. I have a married daughter In Pine Bluff, Ark., 
with three children. My other daughter, Mary, is a 
trained nurse, a graduate of a New Orleans Institute. 
She has more than she can do In her profession and so 
we see very little of her. 

" Only a week ago we were much shocked at the sud- 
den death of my younger brother. Hill Jones. It seems 
strange that he should be taken first as he was my 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 311 

junior by eleven years. Hill was a good man and a 
Christian, deacon in our Baptist Church here, and a 
highly respected citizen. We shall all miss him much. 
Four children survive him, two sons and two daughters, 
all married and doing well. 

" You will perhaps be surprised to hear that my oldest 
sister, Elonisa, still lives. She is now in her eighty- 
seventh year and has been remarkably active and healthy 
up to a year ago, but is now growing quite feeble. Only 
we two remain of the eight, including my mother, that 
moved to Arkansas." 

WILLIAM LYNE 

Perhaps in the annals of King and Queen County we 
find no more distinguished man than William Lyne 
the 2d, son of William the ist, who came to Virginia 
from Bristol, England; settled first in Granville County, 
N. C, and removed thence to King and Queen County. 
William Lyne, the second of that name, was a most 
distinguished man in the House of Burgesses of May, 
1769, when Lord Botetourt was governor of Virginia. 
He was a burgess from King and Queen also in the 
sessions of Nov. 7, 1769; May 21, 1770; and July 11, 
1 77 1. In 1775 he was a member of the Committee 
of Safety from King and Queen County. He was 
colonel in the Revolutionary War from 1776. 

William Lyne married his first cousin, Lucy Foster 
Lyne, daughter of Henry Lyne. 

Bishop Meade's book (page 414) says of Drysdale 
parish: " This parish lay partly in Caroline and partly 
in King and Queen County. Mr. William Lyne ap- 
pears during the time to have been a faithful lay dele- 
gate." 

MURDOCH FAMILY 

J. Ryland Murdoch, bom April loth, 1873; died 
January 5th, 1906, Ontario, Cal. Married Miss Gil- 
christ, Philadelphia., June 12th, 1901. Baptized when 
13 years of age at Bruington, King and Queen, by Rev. 
W. R. D. Moncure. Ordained at Bruington Church, 
September, 1897; when the Presbytery consisted of: 



312 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

Dr. Charles H. Ryland, Dr. Harry Bagby, Dr. B. 
Cabell Hening, Rev. J. W. Ryland, Rev. Alexander 
Fleet, Rev. Frank Beale. 

At Berlin, New Jersey, 2 years. 

At Kennett Square, Penn., 2 years. 

At Winchester, Va., 2 years. 

At La Junta, Col., i year. 

JUDGE THOMAS RUFFIN 

This distinguished gentleman deserves more than a 
passing notice. The record we shall give is taken from 
an address delivered by Governor William A. Gra- 
ham of North Carolina, afterwards Secretary of the 
Navy, and from other documents relating to the same 
subject: 

Thomas Ruffin, the oldest child of his parents, was 
born at Newington, County of King and Queen, Va., 
the residence of his maternal grandfather, Thomas 
Roane, November 17th, 1787. His father, Sterling 
Ruffin, was a planter in the neighboring county of Es- 
sex; and he in turn was a son of Robert Ruffin, who 
years before had established his residence at Sweet Hall, 
King William County. Judge Ruffin's mother, Alice 
Roane, was of a distinguished family. She was a first 
cousin of Judge Spencer Roane, Chief Justice of Vir- 
ginia; also of Thomas Ritchie, the distinguished editor 
of the Enquirer at Richmond; and also a first cousin 
of Dr. William Brokenborough, President of the Bank 
of Virginia. His father, having a respectable fortune, 
sought for his son the best education. He lived for a 
while in boyhood on the farm in Essex, attending school 
in the neighborhood. Thence he was sent to a classical 
academy in the village of Warrenton, N. C, then 
under the instruction of Mr. Marcus George, an Irish- 
man, and a skillful instructor. Mr. George placed great 
faith in the rod, and did not spare it when he thought 
it needed. Judge Ruffin always retained a grateful and 
affectionate remembrance of Master George. He was 
next sent to the college of Nassau Hall, at Princeton, 
N. J. The late Governor James Iredell was in the class 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 313 

succeeding that of Mr, Ruffin, and became his room- 
mate. Thus began a friendship between these gentle- 
men, which terminated only in the death of Governor 
Iredell. Theodore Frelinghuysen, of New Jersey, was 
also his college associate, as was also Joseph R. Inger- 
soll. Mr. Ruffin then entered the law office of David 
Robertson, of Petersburg, where he was associated with 
Winfield Scott, the future general. This was in 1806. 
The year following. Sterling Ruffin, the father, changed 
his home from Virginia to Rockingham County, N. C, 
and his son soon afterwards followed him. After pur- 
suing his legal studies yet further, he was admitted to the 
bar in 1808. In 1809 he established his home at Hills- 
borough, and on the 9th of December of that year he 
was united in marriage to Miss Annie Kirkland of that 
town. 

In i8i3-'i6 he served as a member of the legis- 
lature, and became Speaker of the House. His manner 
at the bar was diffident and his speech embarrassed, but 
the vigor of his understanding soon overcame all diffi- 
culties. His income from his practice has hardly ever 
been equaled in North Carolina. In 1825 he was ap- 
pointed Judge of the Superior Court, and in this position 
had universal admiration and acceptance. In the au- 
tumn of 1829 he was elected a Judge of the Supreme 
Court, and in 1833 he was elevated to the Chief- 
Justiceship. Few advocates ever equaled him in pre- 
senting so much solid thought in the same number of 
words, or in disentangling complicated facts and mak- 
ing a demonstration clear to the minds of the auditors. 
He thus became habituated to abstract and exact reason- 
ing. With an energy that pressed the business forward, 
a quickness in comprehending facts, patient habits of 
labor, he suffered no time to be lost, and yet there was 
no indecent haste. While he presided It was rare that 
any case before a jury occupied more than a single day. 
He held this position twenty-three years, and in these 
years he delivered a greater number of opinions than 
any other judge with whom he was associated. These 
opinions are found in twenty-five volumes of re- 
ports, and have been cited with approbation In many 



314 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

courts, both State and national, and even In Westmin- 
ster Hall. He has been thought by many able lawyers 
to rank with Judge Spencer Roane of Virginia, and with 
that greatest of all the Chief-Justices, John Marshall. 
Hon. R. T. Bennett, himself an able lawyer, says of 
him, " I have read every opinion delivered by the late 
Chief-Justice Ruffin, and when I completed these read- 
ings, I said In my deepest thought, ' Chief-Justice Ruffin 
is the greatest judge who ever administered justice in 
an English-speaking community.' " Again, Senator 
Graham says of him that he wore the ermine as natur- 
ally and gracefully as if he had never been divested of 
its folds. When the great war between the States came 
on, Judge Ruffin was for the maintenance of the Union 
until he was sent to Washington to attend a peace con- 
ference, which had been suggested by Virginia with the 
faint hope of saving the country from a bloody strife. 
After he returned, at a great public meeting called to 
consider the question by his own people, the venerable 
judge mounted the platform and exclaimed, " I know 
not what others may say, but as for myself, I say 
Fight! Fight! Fight!" On the 15th of January, 
1870, after an illness of but four days, he breathed his 
last, in the eighty-third year of his age. His end was 
resigned and peaceful, and in the consolation of an 
enlightened and humble Christian faith. For more than 
forty years he was a communicant of the Protestant 
Episcopal Church. His venerable companion, Annie 
(Kirkland) Ruffin, survived him. 

This is the inscription upon Judge Ruffin's tomb in 
St. Matthew's churchyard, Hillsboro, N. C, by Hon. 
Paul C. Cameron, a son-in-law: 

THOMAS RUFFIN 

THE FIRST BORN OF 

STERLING RUFFIN AND ALICE ROANE, 

BORN AT NEVi^INGTON, 

KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA, 

NOV. 17TH, 1787, 

DIED AT HILLSBORO, ORANGE CO., N. C, 

JANUARY I5TH, 1870. 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 315 

Graduated at Nassau Hall, Princeton, N. J., 1805, 
Admitted to the Bar in N. C. in 1808. 
Intermarried with Annie M. Kirkland 
December 9th, 1809. 
A member of the State Legislature, Speaker of the House of Com- 
mons; a trustee of the University; twice Judge of the Superior Court; 
in 1829, Justice of the Supreme Court, in which he presided for nine- 
teen years as Chief Justice. 

Labor ipse est voluptas. 
In the 83rd year of his life, in full possession of his faculties, ripe 
in learning and in wisdom, crowned with public honors and with con- 
fidence, rich in the affection of his kindred and friends, he closed his 
long, active and useful life in the consolation of an enlightened and 
humble Christian faith. 

" A man resolved and steady to his trust, 
Inflexible to ill and obstinately just." 

ROBERT RYLAND, A. M., D. D. 
By 

This distinguished son of the county was the child of 
Josiah Ryland — for sixty-five years a deacon of Bruing- 
ton Church — and Catharine Peachey. 

He was born in 1805 and died in his 94th year. 
Educated in Humanity Hall Academy and Columbian 
College, D. C, he was for thirty-four years the presi- 
dent of leading educational establishments, — first of the 
Virginia Baptist Seminary and then of Richmond Col- 
lege. The college, now the pride of Virginia Baptists, 
was cradled largely in his self-denying labors and pray- 
ers, and its success is in great measure due to his able 
administration and sound learning. 

Dr. Ryland was the brother of Samuel Peachey, Jo- 
seph, and John Newton Ryland, all of whom resided 
in the county and were eminent for good citizenship, 
religious character, and usefulness. He was also the 
uncle of Charles Hill Ryland, D. D., son of Samuel 
Peachey Ryland. 

REV. A. F. SCOTT 
By Mrs. T. P. B, 

Azariah Francis Scott was born September 14th, 
1822, in Northampton County, Virginia, and died Oc- 



316 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

tober 7th, 1898. He received a first-class education at 
both Richmond and Columbian Colleges, at the latter 
of which he took the A. M. degree. He was a close 
student, possessed fine discriminative powers, and was 
never satisfied until he had mastered the subject under- 
taken. He was well versed in the Scriptures and sound 
to the core. He never " ran after new things "; he was 
satisfied with the good old doctrines of the Gospel, and 
preached Jesus Christ as the only and all-sufficient 
Savior of a world ruined by sin. In early life and until 
after the Civil War he taught school. He was fond 
of this work. He loved young men and identified him- 
self with them, and this made him very successful and 
popular as a teacher. Many of the most prominent 
men in this section were his pupils. On one occasion 
not very many years before his death, he paid a visit 
to Gloucester Courthouse, meeting a great many old 
friends. He was invited to sit with the judge (Fielding 
Taylor). A great many new people had moved to the 
county and curiosity was rife among them as to who 
this old gray-haired gentleman was on whom the judge 
conferred such honor. At the right time Judge Taylor 
introduced him as his own teacher, and added that not 
only had he been the teacher of the judge, but of the 
jury, the lawyers in attendance, and all of the officers 
of the court. During the Civil War he lived in Glouces- 
ter County, and being too old for the ranks, when the 
county was lacking in men, he served as a Justice of the 
Peace. To-day his portrait hangs on the walls of 
Gloucester Court House as a prominent county officer. 
Mr. Scott had very few pastorates for one actively en- 
gaged in the ministry forty-seven years. Ebenezer (of 
which Newington was a branch at that time) in Glouces- 
ter, Colosse in King William, Glebe Landing in Mid- 
dlesex, and Ephesus in Essex, were his only pastorates. 
Soon after the war he moved from Gloucester Court- 
house to Stevensville, King and Queen County, and 
took charge of Stevensville Academy. There were sev- 
eral preachers in the neighborhood, and the companion- 
ship of these was highly enjoyed. They met from 
house to house once a week, had a good supper and 





COI,. SAMUEI, F. HARWOOD 

U821-1906) 



rACiNC m6 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 317 

enjoyed conversation along lines precious to them, — 
such spirits as Revs, Richard Hugh Bagby, Isaac Diggs, 
R. H. Land, Major J. R. Bagby, and Mr. John Bagby, 
long since gone " up higher." The writer of this book 
is the only one left to tell the story. 

Of the moral character of A. F. Scott it is difficult 
to speak, extravagantly; he was one of the purest of men. 
He never sought honors or office, but accepted, with the 
modesty of a woman, his election as Vice-President of 
the General Association of Virginia, which office he 
held at the time of his death. He was known among 
his acquaintances as a great peacemaker, urging the 
spirit of the Master in loving one another. He was 
married when quite a young man to Miss Margaret 
Elizabeth Holt of Northampton County; by her there 
were nine children. Four are living: Mrs. Thomas P. 
Bagby, West Point; Va.; Mr. George Ryland Scott 
and Mrs. R. W. Eubank, Essex County; Mr. J. H. 
Scott, Portsmouth, Va. His second wife was Miss 
Julia V^aring of Essex, and she has recently died, leav- 
ing four children: William, Mattie, Mary, and Eliza- 
beth. His funeral was preached at Ephesus Church by 
his lifetime friend Elder William E. Wiatt, of Glou- 
cester County, assisted by Elders J. W. Ryland, F. B. 
Beall, Alexander Fleet, J. B. Cook, and J. T. T. Hund- 
ley of the Disciples' Church. He was buried at Ephesus 
Church, where a handsome monument marks his last 
resting place on earth. 

FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 

Seldom it is that we can record the fiftieth anniversary 
of a wedding; yet occasionally God in His infinite wis- 
dom grants to us this rare privilege. December 12th, 
1904, Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. Porter, of Stevens- 
ville. King and Queen County, Va., having reached the 
fiftieth year of their married life, quietly and appro- 
priately celebrated their " Golden Wedding." It had 
been their desire to have all their friends and rela- 
tives with them, but owing to the somewhat impaired 
health of Mrs. Porter, only the immediate family and 
a few others were present. 



318 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

There were two rather remarkable coincidences In 
connection with the occasion; one was, that the fiftieth 
year found them in the same " old homestead " in which 
they were married. Another feature equally remark- 
able was the presence of Rev. James S. Porter, of Front 
Royal, Va., first cousin to Mr. Porter, who acted as 
his best man half a century ago. 

It was a quiet but happy and joyous reunion of the 
family. Mr. Charles Porter's long life has been too 
closely identified with the affairs of his section, socially, 
politically, and religiously, to make it necessary for a 
paper in Tidewater to make comment on his worth as a 
Christian gentleman and a valuable public citizen, and 
no one who has ever been fortunate enough to meet his 
good wife, will soon forget her warm-hearted welcome 
and her lavish kindness. 

Stevensville, Va., December 12, 1904. 

It has been the aim of the author, and his most earnest 
desire, to have some loving and able pen present for 
our inspection that splendid line of Christian woman- 
hood represented in this county, of whom one of the 
most distinguished men reared among us wrote me some 
years ago, that they were, par excellence, the finest speci- 
mens of female character he had ever known. Thus 
far, our efforts in that direction have been futile. We 
present a few characters as samples of the rest: 

" Miss Priscilla Pollard — a sister of Robert Pollard, 
Sr., clerk of the court — was bright, intelligent, cultured, 
and active above others in work for her church. She 
was baptized by Dr. Semple into Bruington Church, 
and from that time forth she felt that she must be 
about ' her Father's business.' She was especially in- 
fluential in the line of women's societies for the propa- 
gation of the Gospel at home and abroad. About 1835 
she aided in organizing such societies at Bruington, 
Mattapony, and probably also at Beulah. It is impos- 
sible to overestimate the good which has resulted. 
Truly she, being dead, yet speaketh. A small flagged 
chair is still preserved at Mattapony marked simply 
' P P ' " 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 319 

We shall trust to the kind forbearance of the reader 
not to regard it indelicate when we give place to the 
following, from the pen of one who knew and highly 
honored the subject of his thoughts : 

SARAH JANE (pOLLARD) BAGBY 

" The w^omanhood of the Old South reached Its flower 
about the time of the war between the States, and it is 
probable that, when character, native grace and attrac- 
tive qualities, culture of heart and mind, high ideals, the 
kindness of heart that is more than coronets, and the 
simple faith that is more than Norman blood, are con- 
sidered, the subject of this brief sketch can be rightfully 
considered one of its most perfect examples. 

" She was fortunate to be born in a home of moderate 
means, but of intelligence, character, and true piety. 
Her education was only such as was afforded by the 
rural community in which her lot was cast, but as a 
scholar she was ambitious and diligent, being loved by 
her teachers and exceedingly popular among her school- 
mates. There was that in her face and bearing which 
promptly attracted and held the pleased attention. 

" When the cares of a home and a family of her own 
came, she loved to devote such portions of her time as 
could be spared to the continued cultivation of her lit- 
erary instinct and she became the author of a number 
of poems, universally recognized for their merit. Per- 
haps the best known of these has reference to Commo- 
dore Maury, whose remains were carried (pursuant to 
his expressed wish) through Goshen Pass to their rest- 
ing place at Lexington : 

When the laurels are blooming, 

When the waters so wild 
Are chafing and fretting 

Like yon wilful child, 
As they dash o'er the lone rock, 

So well worn and gray, — 
Where the laurels are blooming, 

Oh, bear me that way. 

" She was devoted to her church as well as to her 



320 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

children, whom she tenderly and laboriously endeavored 
to rear " in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." 

" In a marvelous degree she was gifted with that in- 
stinct which appears to be peculiar to her sex, and on 
several occasions events coming subsequently to her 
knowledge were foreshadowed in her dreams. 

" Her full spirit, like that river of which Cyrus broke 
the strength, spent itself in channels that knew no great 
name on earth, but the result of her being was in- 
calculably diffused upon those around her; for the grow- 
ing good of the world is partly dependent upon unhis- 
toric acts; and that things are not so bad with you and 
me as they might have been is half owing to that num- 
ber who faithfully lived hidden lives and rest in un- 
visited tombs. 

HOW A CHRISTIAN WOMAN CAN DIE 
" You would like, I know, to hear something of the 
last hours of dear sister. She lingered much longer 
than we thought she would, and Saturday sister and 
I both thought she was dying. Sunday morning early 
they thought her a little better. Sister spent the morn- 
ing, indeed all of the day, with her. I went over^early 
in the afternoon and spent the night About 4 o'clock 
she thought she was dying and sent for uncle. While 
he stood by her bed she said, * Come, Lord Jesus, come 
quickly.' Aunt Bettie came later and thought she was 
not dying, but by ten o'clock it was evident that she 
could not live long. Uncle knelt by her bed and asked, 
' Sallie, my darling, do you know me?' She^ said, 
'Yes.' 'Do you know your brother John?' 'Yes. 
' I had a letter from him and he sent his best love to 
you.' She said, ' Give my love to him.' Then in the 
midst of some incoherent talk, for her mind wandered 
a little at times, she suddenly said very clearly and dis- 
tinctly, ' Oh, my mother!' Later in the night she said, 
'Mother, mother, oh, mother!' and 'My little boy!' 
Also, 'I have but one trouble.' She called me fre- 
quently and asked for ice, showing that her mind was 
clear and that she knew I was with her. 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 321 

" She spoke seldom of her hopes in regard to the 
future, but at different times during her illness she 
expressed herself as follows : ' If my Heavenly Father 
would but take me home, how glad I should be to go.' 
' I am not afraid to die.' Once she repeated these 
lines : 

" Give joy or grief, give ease or pain, 
Take life or friends away. 
But let me find them all again 
In that Eternal Day." 

And she tried to sing, 

" Jesus can make a dying bed," etc. 

" Her funeral was largely attended. Mr. Scott 
preached from Psalm cxvi. 15. All of her boys were 
present and cousin Jim. Mr. Moncure and cousin 
Johnny made very appropriate remarks. The boys are 
all deeply distressed, and uncle very sad. I was 
over there yesterday helping Alice, Miss Oteria, and 
sister to put things in order and make everything com- 
fortable for him; for he intends to keep house. He 
was sadder than I had seen him and I suppose will 
feel his loss more and more. I hope to be able to per- 
suade George to come here. Alice wants to take him 
with her but he says it is ' too far.' His cry of dis- 
tress when he first heard of his mother's death was 
truly affecting, but he bears his grief well. 

" Can't you come down to see uncle and us sometime 
with Speaker? Bob is well, — is out or would send mes- 
sages. Best love for you all. 

" Sister died at 12 : 40 Sunday night." 



CHAPTER XVII 

GENEALOGIES 

BAGBY FAMILY 

James ( i ), Jamestown (1628). 

Isom (Isham) ( i ), Jamestown. 

William ( i ) , Jamestown. 

William (i); Robert (2), b. 1740 (Kentucky 
branch). 

James ( i ) ; John ( 2 ) ; John ( 3 ) , m. Morris ( Louisa 
branch). 

John (2); Richard (3), m. Jeffries; George (4); 
Mary (4), m. Harwood; John (4), m. Courtney; 
Richard (4), m. Fleet; Baylor (4); Travis (4),m. 
Kidd; Susan (4), m. Haynes. 

Major Thomas (3); George (4), m. Virginia 
Evans; Dr. Geo. W. (Moziz Addums) (5), m. Cham- 
berlayne; Ellen (5), m, Matthews. 

John (4); Richard Hugh, D. D. (5), m. Motley; 
Dr. John (6), m. Fleet; Richard Hugh, Jr. (6), m. 
Cauthorne; Luther (6), m. Johnson; Betty (6), m. 
Ryland; Emma (6), m. Carlton; Laura (6), m. Ader- 
holt; Hannah (6); Virginia (6), m. W. F. Bagby, 
county clerk, 

Emeline (5), m. Cooke; Priscilla (5), m. Ryland; 
Hannah (5), m. Gresham; Major John R. (5), m. 
Fleet; Alfred (5), m. Pollard; George F. D. D. (5), 
m. Courtney; Mary E. (5), m. Gresham; Martha H. 
(5), m. Carlton; Virginia (5), m. Pollard; Susan (5) ; 
Edward (5), killed in the war. 

Richard (4) ; John C. (5) ; Capt. Alexander (5), m. 
Walker; Rev. Edward (6); Rev. Richard (6); Dr. 
Bathurst (6); Alvin (6); Alexina (6), m. Robins; 
Janie (6). 

Sarah (5), m. White; Sue (5), m. Fleet; Dolly 
(5), m. Walker; Richard (5), m. Fannie Floyd. 

322 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 323 

John R. (5) ; Wm. F. (6), m. Bagby; Bessie (6), 
m. Dickinson; Nellie (6); Dr. John R., Jr. (6); 
Mary (6), m. Haynes. 

Alfred (5) ; Thomas P. (6), m. Scott; Ann H. (6) ; 
Charles T. (6), m. English; Juliet (6); Alfred, Jr. 
(6), m. Campbell; John (6), m. Harwood; Richard 
Hugh (6), m. Leslie; George Poindexter (6). 

George F. (5); Fred (6), m. Garrett; Theodore 
(6), m. Willis; George F., Jr. (6), m, Lawrence; 
Leslie (6), m. Halloway; Alfred Paul (6), m. Stro- 
ther; Harry, D. D. (6), m. Thompson; May (6), m. 
Rudd (missionary). 

Priscilla (5); Sue (6), m. Fleet; Nannie (6), m. 
Fleet; Ida (6), m. Haynes; Mary (6), m. Murdoch; 
Priscilla (6), m. Land; Rev. John W. (6), m. Bagby; 
Josiah (6), m. White; James R. (6), m. Porter; Hugh 
(6), m. Derieux; Joseph (6), m. Bagby; Harry (6), 
m. ; Edwin (6), m. Files; Alice (6). 

Emeline (5) ; Betty (6), m. Porter; Frank (6), m. 
Turpin; Mary M. (6), m. Haywood; Mordecai (6). 

Hannah E. (5) ; Jessie (6), m. Hon. H. R. Pollard; 
Mattie (6), m. Pollard; Ora (6), m. Butler, D. D. S. ; 
Susie (6) ; Ada (6) ; two sons who died young (6). 

Virginia (5); Mary (6), m. Clark; Juliet (6), m. 
Wills; Bessie (6), m. Cox; Lallah (6), m, Smoot; 
Maude (6), m. Turman; Susie (6); Grace (6), m. 
McCaslin; Rev. Edward B., Ph. D. (6), m. Mason; 
John Garland, attorney (6), m. Phillipps. 

Mary E. (5) ; Andrew (6) ; Albert (6), m. Jones. 

BIRD FAMILY 

BY COLONEL BENNEHAN CAMERON, STAGVILLE, N. C. 

Janet Dickie married Bob Bird of Poplar Grove. 
She had two children, namely, Janet and Fannie, by 
first marriage, Janet died without marrying. Fannie 
married Col. Robert Boyd. Janet Dickie Bird married, 
second, Capt. Beverly Roy, about 1800, by whom there 
were issue two sons. Dr. Beverly Roy, born in 1802, 
and Dr. Dunbar Roy, born 1804. Dr. Beverly Roy 
married, first, Miss Abrams; by her there were two 



324 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

children, William and Virginia. William was killed in 
the Civil War; Virginia married Capt. Robert Spencer 
of King and Queen County. Dr. Dunbar Roy married 
Lucy Carter Garnett; they had issue six children, — 
John Beverly, Janet Carter, Gustavus Garnet, Robert 
Boyd, Charles Carter, Lucy Augustine. 

Judith Bird, sister of Robert Bird, of Poplar Grove, 
married Col. Robt. Hoskins, by which marriage there 
were two children, Bird Hoskins and Matilda Bird 
Hoskins. Bird Hoskins married Elizabeth Garrett, 
and by this issue were four children, Robert William, 
John Robert, Bird, and Matilda Bird. Dr. William 
married Janet Carter Roy. 

BLAND FAMILY 

First branch: (i) Robert; (2) Colonel Robert; 
(3) Dr. William F.; (3) Robert; (3) Dr. J. E.; (3) 
Frank; (3) Mary married Savage; (3) Jennie married 
Dr. Grubbs; (3) Lucy. 

Second branch: (i) John; (2) Major Roderick; 
(3) Puss married Roane; (2) Nancy married Lawson; 
(2) Fanny married J. D. Taylor; (J. D. Taylor then 
married Albright) ; James Redwood and Muire mar- 
ried Miss Albright's two sisters. 

Third branch: "Gentleman John" Bland married 
Collins. He was a brother of Robert (i). (i) John; 
(2) Thomas J.; (2) Eliza married Hemingway; (2) 
John B. married Courtney; (2) Claiborne H.; (2) 
Julia married Corr; (2) Cary married Mooring; (2) 
Harriet A. married Morris; (2) 4^ev. William S. of 
Chesterfield married Winston; (2) Demarius married 
Bowden. 

Fourth branch: (i) Jesse Bland; (2) Jane mar- 
ried Ledford Vaughan; (2) Hon. B. F., (member of 
Virginia Senate). 

Fifth branch: (i) Major Roderick Bland married 
first, Clayton, and second, Goulder; (2) Buck married 
Corr; (2) Emiline married Sears; (2) John William 
married Goulder; (2) Ellen J. married Roane; (2) 
J. T. married Irby and Wright; (2) Hon. George C. 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 325 

married Anderson; Richmond married Anderson; (2) 
Joseph married Courtney. 

Sixth branch: (i) Rev. Archy; (i) Absalom; (i) 
William (Hickory); (i) Archy; (2) Tyler; (2) 
Schuyler; (i) Absalom; (2) Joseph F. ; (2) Julizu; 
(i) William; (2) John H.; (2) Walter; (2) Lucy, 
married Roane; (2) Betty married Roane; (2) Eliza 
married J. F. (Tyler married two sisters, — Absalom 
Bland's daughters.) 

Seventh branch : (i) Zachary; (2) Claiborne; (2) 
Thomas; (i) Edward B., Englishman, 1653. Settled 
at Blanford near Petersburg; (2) Giles, famed in 
Bacon's Rebellion; (2) Theodoric, of King's council; 
(3) Theodoric, colonel in Revolution; (3) Richard, 
of Jordan's Point, also a colonel. 

(See also letter from Dr. William F. Bland. I re- 
gret my inability to show the family connections. — 
Editor.) 

BOULWARE FAMILY 

BY O. GRESHAM 

Lee Boulware ( i ) married Catharine Miller of 
Caroline. They lived at Newtown, and had seven chil- 
dren, as follows : 

John (2), educated at William and Mary, became 
professor at Columbian College, Washington. Will- 
iam (2), graduated at William and Mary, married 
Mary Gatewood, nee Pendleton; was appointed Min- 
ister to Naples by President Tyler; he was killed in 
West Virginia at a place called Jerry's Run by the giv- 
ing way of a bridge in 1870. Lee (2), graduated at 
Yale, died about twenty-two years of age. Caro- 
line (2), married Rev. Andrew Broaddus, Sr. ; died 
1848, leaving one child. Dr. William Lee Broad- 
dus, now of Bowling Green, Ky. Catharine (2), mar- 
ried Kidd; died 1867, leaving two children, John B. 
Kidd of Richmond, and Maria Louisa. Amanda (2), 
married Richardson Lumpkin; died about 1872, leav- 
ing one child, Mrs. Rosalie Bates. Susan (2), mar- 
ried Alexander Taliafero; died 1896, leaving four 



^26 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

children: Catharine L. (3), married O. Gresham; Dr. 
WiUiam (3), married Kate Ryland; Charlie (3), and 
Carrie (3). 

Lee Roy Boulware, a half-brother of Mrs. Lee Boul- 
ware, was a man of considerable property; once owned 
White Hall near Walkerton. He had a large family 
of children, and all of them are dead with the exception 
of one daughter in Texas. Many of his children and 
grandchildren were in the Confederate army. He died 
in i860. 

BROOKE FAMILY 

BY COLONEL SAMUEL F. HARWOOD 
Richard Brooke owned Mantapike. He had two 
sons that I know of; one went into the U. S. army and 
the other into the navy. The latter invented an instru- 
ment for deep-sea sounding. One of the same name, 
and I think a descendant of this naval officer, invented 
a process used in building iron-clad battleships, and 
really superintended the rebuilding of the Merrimac 
{P'irginia) ; afterwards he superintended similar work 
in Richmond. 



George Brooke, of the army, a son of Humphrey 
Brooke and a nephew of Robert Brooke (who was with 
Spotswood on his transmontane expedition), bought 
Mantapike from Tunstall Banks (1764). 

Richard Brooke, Sr., was a justice of the peace, and 
he was impecunious. He was often on the bench when 
suits came to trial against himself; in such cases he was 
remarkable for his impartiality in giving judgment 
against himself. — [Editor.] 

BYRD FAMILY 

The first patent of land was granted to Robert Byrd, 
in 1 69 1. I find this same tract enlarged in the name 
of William Byrd in 1702. 

Robert Byrd married Miss Dunbar; issue, Robert, 
Judith, Barbara, and Katherine. 

Robert Byrd married Janet Dickey; issue, Fannie and 
Janet, born January 24, 1793; died July, 18 15. 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 327 

Fannie married Robert Boyd; issue, Robert Byrd. 

Robert Byrd Boyd married Mary A. Pryor; issue, 
Fannie and Byrd. 

Byrd Boyd married John Washington; issue, John 
Boyd, Mary A., Dolly B., Walker H., Eugene B., Fan- 
nie P., Roberta K. 

Fannie Boyd married Captain Marius Pendleton 
Todd; issue, William Burnett, born 1855; Robert Boyd, 
born 1856; Henry Garland, born 1857; Mary Eliza, 
born 1863 (died in infancy) ; Fannie Boyd, born 1862; 
Marius Pendleton, born 1865. 

Janet (Dickey) Byrd, born November 29, 1767; 
died September 10, 18 17; married second. Captain 
Beverly Roy (born 1760, died 1820), (See below, 
under Dickey and Roy.) 

COLLINS FAMILY 

Tom (i) (at Ware's Bridge) ; William (2) ; Rob- 
ert (2), married Gibson; Mary E. (3), married Corr; 
Columbia (3), married Carlton; Tommy (3); Robert 
(3) ; Martha (3), married Glenn. 

Tom (2); Tom (3), married Tribble; Tom (4), 
married Corr; (children): George (2), married 
Smith; Ashton (3), married Jockson; James (3), mar- 
ried Corr; Dena (4), S. Burch (5) ; James (4). 

Jane (2), married Daniel; Bob (3), married Mrs. 
Street; George (3) ; Joe (3). 

Maria (2), married Jackson; Patsy (2), married 
Clayton; Betty (3), married Bland; Jim Polk (4), 
married Turner; Sarah (3), married Rev. Crittenden; 
Sandal (3), married Garrett; Jim (3). 

Lucy (2), married Crittenden; Tom (3); George 
(3) ; Betty (3), married Yarington; Fanny (3), mar- 
ried Burton; (other sons and daughters. Dr. William 
Garland Smith among them). 

CORBIN FAMILY 

Major Henry Corbin of Stratton, Virginia, died 
1680; had two sons, Thomas (i), who left no male 
descendants; his daughter, Letitia, married Richard 



328 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

Lee. Garvin Corbin (2) married Miss Bassett and 
was president of the Council. His children were : Joan 
(Mrs. Robert Tucker) ; Jenny (Mrs. Bushrod) ; AHce 
(Mrs. Ben. Nadler) ; Richard, of Laneville, who mar- 
ried,Miss Betty Taylor, ancestor of the Braxtons; John; 
Garvin, who married Hannah Lee; Mrs. Allerton; 
Mrs. Tuberville. 

CORR FAMILY 

James Corr ( i ) , married Mary Corr, a daughter of 
William Corr; her mother was a Miss Campbell of 
Plymouth. 

William Corr (2), married Julia Bland, a daughter 
of John Bland, a teacher, often called " Gentleman 
John." Thomas Corr (2), his brother, was unmar- 
ried, and Mary F. (2), married William Ferry; Felix 
Corr (2). 

James F. (3), William Lycurgus, D. Fielding, Flora 
A., and Julia B. 

James Corr ( i ) had a brother Jack, who went to 
Missouri. 

Henry Corr ( i ) of King William had two brothers, 
Thomas and George. Henry (2), Mrs. Edwards, 
Mrs. Littlepage. Thomas H. Edwards (3), attorney. 

Thomas ( i ) married a Miss Shackelford, and second 
a Mrs. Bland. 

Puss (2), married Buck Bland; Catherine (2), mar- 
ried Jimmy Bland; Victoria (2), George (2), Milton 
(2), Thomas (2), married Bray. 

Levi Corr of Gloucester was a cousin of William 
(2). Three of his sons were ministers, viz.: Watt, 
Thomas, and Harry. 

Freling Corr (3), married first Collins, and second 
Crittenden. Children: Mediola (4), married Collins; 
Lunsford Straughn (4), Myrtle (4), married Cobb; 
Elsie (4), married Black; Donus R. (4), Julia B. (4), 
Dena ( 5 ) , married Burch ; James C. ( 5 ) , S. Burch ( 6 ) . 

CRITTENDEN FAMILY 

William ( i ) , married first Bland, and second Mrs. 
Webley; William, Jr. (2), George (2), Carter (2), 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 329 

Going (2), Mary (2), R?v. James C. (2), married 
four times; Charley (3), Sarah (3), married Corr; 
Lucy (3), married Walden; Samuel (2), married 
Hart; Robert (2), Matilda (2), married Webley; 
Cordelia (2), married Trice; Eudora (2), married 
Cardwell. 

COURTNEY FAMILY 

We compile the following, drawing largely from 
memoranda made by Major Alfred R. Courtney, 
C. S. A., of Richmond. Among the names mentioned 
traditionally of residents on the north side of the York 
and Mattapony Rivers about 1680, is that of Robert 
Courtney. He was apparently an English emigrant. 
Readers of history will recall the name Courtenay as 
having been prominent in England: the names are 
doubtless the same. Robert ( i ) , the emigrant, had 
three sons, Philip, Thomas, and John. Philip, whom 
we mark (2), indicating that he was a son of (i), had 
one son, Captain Robert Courtney (3), married Camp- 
bell. His children were William P. (4), Franklin (4), 
Elizabeth (4), married John Bagby; Priscilla (4), 
married William Campbell, Sr.; Martha (4), married 
Haynes. 

Captain Robert Courtney was a man of mark. He 
was captain at Norfolk during the War of 1812, first 
sheriff of his county, and afterwards for years presiding 
justice of the court. He was a man of commanding 
mien, fearless, outspoken, and had the unbounded con- 
fidence of his people. He was called Robert, Sr., to 
distinguish him from another Robert, and died in 1852. 
He married a daughter of Captain Whittaker Camp- 
bell (probably of the Revolutionary army) , of King and 
Queen. 

The two other sons of Robert ( i ) , Thomas and 
John, became Baptist ministers. Rev. Thomas (2) 
had six sons and two daughters; one daughter mar- 
ried Taylor of Richmond, the other married Osgood. 
The sons were Philip (3), John (3) of New Kent, 
William (3), Thomas (3), Robert (3), and Nathan- 
iel (3), who migrated west. 



330 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

Rev. John (2), born 1744, died 1824, was pastor 
of the First Baptist Church of Richmond, Va. He was 
greatly honored in his pastorate, being a compeer 
of " Parsons " Blair and Buchanan. Though not a 
brilliant preacher, his discourses were powerful and 
won many to the faith. Both himself and his brother 
Thomas labored in their early days in King William. 

Robert (3) — son of Thomas (2) — married Sarah 
Campbell, was father of a large family: Joseph Camp- 
bell (4), James Whittaker (4), Robert Mortimer (4), 
Martha Elizabeth (4), married Captain Smith; Law- 
rence Straughan (4), Thomas Lysander (4), Giles 
Croghan (4), Martha Lewis (4), married Patterson; 
Major Alfred R. (4), married Shelton. Robert (3) 
was in the War of 1 812-' 14. 

The Courtney family has migrated in every direction 
and is represented in nearly every State in the Union. 
(The two Misses Campbell here mentioned as having 
married Robert Courtney, Sr., and Robert, Jr., were 
daughters of Captain Whittaker Campbell, near Bru- 
ington Church; he was probably a soldier of the 
Revolution.) 

Another branch is as follows: William C. (Shad) 
Courtney was uncle to James W. Courtney of Plymouth. 
His sons were Conway, William, James, Thomas, and 
Isaac. Thomas, son of Shad, had sons: John Robert, 
Constantine D., Augustus A., Thomas L., Bird S., 
James W. ; daughters: MoUie B., Willie, married Rich- 
ardson; Rosie, married Shepherd. 

Family records from the Family Bible of Captain 
Robert Courtney, King and Queen County, Va., by 
Captain A. C. Jones, Three Creeks, Ark. : 

BIRTHS 

Elizabeth Courtney, daughter of Robert and Pris- 
cilla, his wife, was born August 28th, 1794. 
William Courtney, born May 29th, 1796. 
Priscilla Courtney, bom November nth, 1797. 
Mary Courtney, born September 6th, 1799. 
Robert Hill Courtney, born November 2d, 1801. 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 331 

Martha Hill Courtney, born October 30th, 1804. 
Hugh Courtney, born January 12th, 1806. 
William Pollard Courtney, born December 25th, 
1807. 

Thomas Parkinson Courtney, born May 28th, 18 10. 
Franklin Courtney, born June 4th, 18 12. 
Ann Courtney, born September 27th, 18 14. 

MARRIAGES 

Robert Courtney and Prlscilla Campbell married 
October 5th, 1793./ 

Elizabeth Courtney and Mr. John Bagby married 
March 15th, 18 14. 

Priscilla Courtney and Mr. William Campbell mar- 
ried September 22d, 18 18. 

Mary Courtney and Mr. Hill Jones married Febru- 
ary 24th, 1 8 19. 

r Martha H. Courtney and Mr. Thomas Haynes mar- 
^ried September 22d, 1824. 
^William P. Courtney and Miss Martha E. Campbell 
married June 15th, 1828. 

Franklin Courtney and Miss Adaline Pendleton mar- 
ried November 5 th, 1835. 

DEATHS 

William Courtney, son of Robert Courtney and Pris- 
cilla, his wife, died August 21st, 1797. 

Hugh Courtney (ditto above) died September 9th, 
1814. 

Thomas P. Courtney died September 26th, 18 14. 

Robert H. Courtney died October 17th, 18 14. 

Ann Courtney, died October 5th, 1823. 

Martha H. (Courtney) Haynes died October 29th, 
1831. 

Elizabeth (Courtney) Bagby died September 29th, 
1836. 

Priscilla Courtney, wife of Robert Courtney, died 
October 7th, 1840. 

Priscilla (Courtney) Campbell died July 17th, 1843. 

Robert Courtney died February 24th, 1852. 



332 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

DAVIS FAMILY 
Hon. Robert Davis of Millers, married 



had daughters Maggie and Mattie. Maggie married 
Latane. 

Colonel William B. Davis, also of Millers, married 
first Taliaferro; issue, Martha, married Hon. Tom 
Winston of Minneapolis. Married second, Ella Sutton; 
children, Julia and James Taylor Davis. 

DICKEY FAMILY 

BY MRS. BETTY MONTAGUE 

Adam Dickey married Miss Dunbar, who was the 
daughter of Hancock Dunbar, rector of St. Stephen's 
parish; issue: Janet, Barbara, Mary Dunbar, James. 

Janet Dickey married first, Robert Byrd; second, 
Captain Beverly Roy. Issue, Fannie and Janet. 

Mary Dunbar married Ambrose Edwards. 

Barbara died. 

James married Joanna, daughter of Iverson Lewis 
and Frances Byrd. 

Judith Byrd married Colonel Robert Hoskins. Issue, 
Byrd, Matilda, Catherine, and William. 

Byrd Hoskins, born 1800, died 1841; married Eliz- 
abeth Garrett, born 1802, died 1867. Issue, Robert 
Hoskins, born 1831, died 1836; Dr. William Hoskins, 
born December 2^th, 1836; Matilda Hoskins, born 
October i6th, 1835, died June 14th, 1895; Dr. John 
Robert Byrd Hoskins, born February 2d, 1838, died 
December 31, 1891. 

FAUNTLEROY FAMILY p 

The first three Fauntleroys who came to this country 
were John, Moore, and Samuel Griflin. The three 
brothers settled in the " Northern Neck " of Virginia, 
and were the sole owners of that section. They were 
French Huguenots, and had to leave France on account 
of the persecution. Samuel Griffin Fauntleroy, a de- 
scendant of one of the brothers, settled in King and 
Queen County at " Farmers' Mount." His first wife 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 333 

was Elizabeth Payne Todd; she had two daughters, 
Katherine and Betsy. The former married Mr. Lorri- 
mer, the latter Mr. Thornton Pollard. She also had 
three sons, Samuel Griffin, Moore Gardner, and Wil- 
liam Todd. The second wife was Sarah Lowry, a sis- 
ter of Mrs. Robert B. Semple. She had three daughters 
and one son. Of the daughters, Martha married Colo- 
nel i\rchie Harwood, Susan Tomlin married Mr. Toler, 
and Lucy Garnett married Mr. James Govan. Her 
son, Thomas William Lowry Fauntleroy, married Fan- 
nie Todd; only one child survives them, Mary Peachey 
Fauntleroy. 

Mrs. James Govan had four daughters: Elizabeth, 
who married Dr. Samuel G. Fauntleroy; Nannie, who 
married Dr. Griffin Fauntleroy; Susan, who married 
Mr. Robert Payne Fauntleroy; and Martha, who never 
married. 

Dr. Moore Gardner Fauntleroy, son of S. G., Sr., 
married Ann Catherine Roberta Latane, and left two 
daughters, Elizabeth Payne Todd, who married Mr. 
John Robinson Winston, and Mary Ellen, who married 
William Dillard. He had five sons, John Moore, who 
married Annie Willis Sizer; Samuel Griffen, who mar- 
ried Nannie Govan; Robert Payne, who married Susan 
Govan; Moore Gardner, who married Flora Dillard; 
and William Henry, who never married. Samuel Grif- 
fen, Jr., had only one child, who was also called Samuel 
Griffen. William Todd\ Fauntleroy married Elizabeth 
Downing, and left two scins, Virginius H. and R. Bruce 
Fauntleroy. Mrs. Susan Toler left one daughter, Hen- 
rietta, who married Dr. R. Bruce Fauntleroy. 

Martha, the wife of Colonel Harwood, left seven 
daughters and three sons, namely: Sarah, Margaret, 
Priscilla, Katherine, Susan, Lucy, and Emily; Samuel, 
Thomas, and Archie. 

Mrs. Thornton Pollard of lower King and Queen, 
nee Ellen Fauntleroy, had three daughters. Belle, Liz- 
zie Todd, and Ella. Belle married Fauntleroy, Lizzie 
married Robert Roy. 

Dr. Moore G. Fauntleroy was surgeon in the War of 
1812. 



334 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

Captain Pendleton of Revolutionary army was con- 
nected with both the Todds and Fauntleroys. 

Captain Bernard Todd, who was connected with the 
Fauntleroys, received from the U. S. government six 
thousand acres of land in Kentucky. 

FLEET FAMILY 

We had hoped to present a more extended account 
of this noted family, but have been able to secure only 
what here follows : 

They claim (and apparently with justness) to be de- 
scended from Charlemagne of France; also from sev- 
eral of the kings of England after William I. Later 
we have William Fleet (i), Gentleman, married Deb- 
orah Scott, of Chatham, Kent. 

William Fleet (2), Virginia burgess 1652. 

Henry Fleet (3), sheriff of Lancaster County 171 8- 
1719. 

William Fleet (4), sheriff of Lancaster County. 

William Fleet (5), born 1726. 

William Fleet (6), 1757-1836, member of Constitu- 
tional Convention, 1788. Sons: Christopher B., M. D., 
married McKim; Colonel Alexander, justice and Vir- 
ginia legislator, married first Pollard, second Mrs. But- 
ler; James Robert, married Ryland; Benjamin, married 
Maria Louisa, daughter of Dr. Walker, a German. 

Dr. C. B. Fleet's sons: John A., married first May- 
nard, second Ryland; Charles B., married Burrass; Dr. 
William T., married Bagby. 

John A. Fleet's sons: Maynard, Charles, Dr. Ben- 
nett, McKim, Ellie. 

Dr. William T. Fleet's children: Jeanette, married 
Vest; Brooke, married Pyles; William, Chapin, Min- 
nie, Sydney. 

Colonel Alexander Fleet's sons: Christopher B., 
Rev. Alexander; daughters: Betty, married Bagby; 
Sallie Brown. 

Dr. Benjamin Fleet's sons: Colonel A. F. of Culver, 
Ind., David of Washington State, Judge William of 
Virginia; daughters: Lou, Bessie, Florence. 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 335 

Mrs. Maria Louisa Fleet was a daughter of Dr. 
Wacken, a German physician, who located at King and 
Queen Courthouse and practiced his profession. He 
married a daughter of Robert Pollard, Sr., clerk of the 
court, and his daughter, Maria L., was the sole heir. 
In early life she married Dr. Benjamin Fleet, youngest 
son of Captain William and brother of Colonel Alex- 
ander Fleet. After the lapse of some fifteen years Dr. 
Fleet died, leaving his widow the great responsibility 
of seven children, — four sons and three daughters, — 
to provide for and educate. Nothing daunted, she took 
up the task. By and by she established a school known 
far and near as " Green Mount," of which she was her- 
self the headmaster and inspiration. It is to Mrs. 
Fleet's imperishable credit that, under conditions above 
indicated, and by her single initiative, she impressed 
her own intellectual and Christian character upon her 
sons. Colonel A. F. Fleet of Culver Military Academy, 
Indiana; David of Washington State, and Judge Wil- 
liam, and her admirable daughters. Misses Lou, Bessie, 
and Florence. We take pride in presenting her por- 
trait as a representative woman of the county. 



THE GAINES FAMILY AND HOMES 

BY C. H. R. 

The first Gaines of whom we have record in King 
and Queen is mentioned in the Vestry book of Stratton 
Major parish under date February 27th, 1766. The 
entry is as follows: "Harry Gaines, Gent., engaged 
to build the church on the old field belonging to 
Richard Corbin, Esq., called ' Goliath Field.' " On 
March 4th, 1768, the Vestry "received the church 
built by Major Harry Gaines, deceased." In Hening's 
"Statutes at Large of Virginia," February, 1759, the 
following appears, " Harry Gaines, Gent., is appointed 
trustee of the Pamunky Indians," and October 30th, 
1760, " Harry Gaines subscribed £1 annually for 8 
years as a premium for best wines." 

A second Harry Gaines (possibly son of the above- 



336 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

mentioned), brother of William Fleming Gaines of 
" Greenway," King William County, and of Robert 
Gaines of " White House," King and Queen County, 
lived at " Providence " and died in 1789. He married 
Elizabeth Herndon. Their children were (i) Benja- 
min, (2) Harry, (3) Robert Beverley, (4) William 
Fleming, who died young, (5) Martha Fleming, (6) 
Elizabeth Herndon, (7) John. 

1. Benjamin Gaines of "Plain Dealing" married 
Sally, daughter of Camm Garlick. Their children were 
Mary Ann, who married Richard Gaines, attorney-at- 
law, and inherited her father's residence; Mira L., 
who married George K. Carlton of " Carlton's Store "; 
William Fleming Gaines, M. D., of " Powhite," Han- 
over County; Sarah Jane, who married John H. Steger 
of Amelia County. 

2. Harry Gaines of " Woodlawn " married Myra 
Muse. Their children were Juliet, who married 
Thomas Carter of King William County; Cornelia, who 
married Dr. Meux of Amelia County; Henry Morti- 
mer, Martha Elizabeth, and Sarah Ann, who all died 
unmarried. 

3. Robert Beverley Gaines of "Belmont" married 
Lucy, daughter of William Fleming Gaines of " Green- 
way," King William County. Their children were Sally, 
Herndon, and Lucy, all of whom died unmarried. 

5. Martha Fleming married Robert Baylor Hill 
of " The Vineyard," and left one child, Catharine 
Gaines, who married Samuel Peachey Ryland of Nor- 
wood. 

6. Elizabeth Herndon Gaines married Captain 
Thomas Miller of Powhatan County, and left no issue. 

7. John Gaines resided at " Providence." He was 
a lawyer of ability, and attorney for the Commonwealth, 
and died unmarried. 

Robert Gaines of " The White House " (brother of 
Harry Gaines of Providence), married Mrs. Jennings. 
Their children were (i) Richard, who married Mary 
Ann, daughter of Benjamin Gaines, and lived at " Plain 
Dealing "; (2) Harry, who married Agnes Gwathmey; 
and (3) Martha, who married Mr. Lee of Lynchburg. 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 337 

THE GARNETT FAMILY AND HOMES 

Thomas Garnett (who died in Essex County in 1748) 
and Elizabeth, his wife, were the parents of John Gar- 
nett, Jr. ; whose son, Reuben Garnett, married Mary, 
daup:hter of James and Mary (Gaines) Jameson of 
Drysdale parish, and resided at " Liberty Hall," Essex 
County. Reuben Meriwether, son of Reuben and 
Mary Garnett, married Anna Maria, dau(2;hter of Cap- 
tain James Pendleton (of the Continental Line) and 
his wife, Elizabeth Peachey (daughter of Samuel 
Peachey of Essex County), and resided at his wife's 
parental homestead " Spring Farm " near Newtown. 
He was high sheriff and colonel of the militia. Their 
children, who lived to be grown, were ( i ) John Mus- 
coe, M. D., (2) Mary Susan, (3) Reuben Meriwether, 
(4) Anna Maria. 

1. John Muscoe of " Lanefield " married, first, 
Priscilla, daughter of Andrew Brown of Middlesex 
County; and second, Anna Elizabeth, daughter of Cap- 
tain Higgason Hancock of Chesterfield County. Their 
children were : Priscilla Brooke, Alice Marion, who mar- 
ried Charles Hill Ryland, D. D., of Richmond; Nannie 
B. ; Mary Kate Macon, who married William L. Broad- 
dus, M. D., of "Travellers' Rest"; Francis W. ; Susan 
Harvie, who married Rev. F. B. Beale of Westmoreland 
County; John Muscoe of "Lanefield"; Reuben Han- 
cock, M. A., Professor of Greek, Georgetown College, 
Kentucky. 

2. Mary Susan married Benjamin Franklin Dew 
of Newtown. Their children were James Harvie, M. 
D., of New York; John Garnett, county judge and Sec- 
ond Auditor of Virginia; Mary Franklin, who married 
Rev. Frederick W. Claybrook of Lancaster County. 

3. Reuben Meriwether married Bettie Allen, daugh- 
ter of James Williams of Fredericksburg, and lived at 
" Peach Grove." Their children were Mary Allen, who 
married William D. Gresham of " Forest Hill " ; Reuby 
Pendleton, who married James R. Fleet of Kinj? and 
Queen; Muscoe Harvie of Richmond; James Williams 
of "Peach Grove"; and Nannie M., second wife of 
Rev. F. W. Claybrook. 



338 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

4. Anna Maria, married John N. Ryland of 
" Farmington." Their children were Jeannette Gar- 
nett, who married Joseph H. Gwathmey of King Will- 
iam County; and John N. Ryland, Jr., of " Ingleside. 

GOVAN FAMILY 

(i) James, (2) James, (2) Cincinnatus, (2) Moore, 
(2) Elizabeth married Dr. S. G. Fauntleroy, (2) Ann 
married Dr. Griffin Fauntleroy, (2) Susan married 
Robert P. Fauntleroy, (2) Martha. 

GRESHAM FAMILY 

BY O. GRESHAM 
Samuel Gresham ( i ) was one of the patriarchs as 
far back as 181 5. He married first a Miss Dudley; 
child: William (2), moved to Kentucky early in the 
nineteenth century. He has grandchildren and great- 
grandchildren now living in Jeffersonville, Ind. 

By his second wife: George (2) and John (2), 
lived and died in Lancaster County; Hannah (2) also 
lived there, and married John Chewning; Fannie (2) 
married Gouldman Parker, and died about 1839 in 
King and Queen; James (2) died in Essex, where he 
married; Andrew (2) settled in Essex, practising medi- 
cine, but died young; Thomas (2) married Polly Dew, 
and lived in Essex, father of Edward (3), William D. 
(3), Robert (3), Charles, M. D., (3), and Henry, 
M. D., (3) ; Samuel (2), my father, born 1778, died 
1843, father of Andrew (3), died early; Martha A. 
(3) married P. D. Samuel, died 1844; Samuel S. (3), 
born 1 8 17, died in Norfolk 1897; John (3), born 
1820, married Hannah E. Bagby, died 1884; Hannah 
(3) born 1822, married Thomas Motley of Caroline; 
Mary Susan (3) born 1825, died i8(;4; Benjamin F. 
(3) born 1828, married 1848, Anne C. Lumpkin, three 
children, — all dead except Mrs. Gertrude G. Samuels 
of Carohne,— died 1904; Albert G. (3) born 1830, 
married Mary E. Bagby, only one child living, Albert 



'I I 

I 



i 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 359 

G., Jr.; Virginia (3) born 1833, married William 
Howerton, died 1870; Sarah Ann (3) born 1839; mar- 
ried G. Howerton, died 1870; and Oscar (3) born 
1836, married E. M. Harris; children living: Oscar, 
Jr., (4), Ellen Hudgens (4), W. W. Gresham (4), 
and Roberta Spindle (4). Oscar (3) married second, 
October 1882, C. L. Taliaferro; no children. 

Thomas Gresham (2) was a lawyer of distinction 
in Essex County. His children branched as follows: 
Edward (3) married Isabella Mann; was an excellent 
citizen and minister; children: Ella (4) married Dr. 
Haile; Walter (4), M. C, Galveston, Texas; Philip 
(4), M. D., Fort Worth, Texas, married Gresham, 
died early; Mrs. Tyler (4) died leaving a son, Walter, 
a promising young lawyer; and " Bunnie " (4) ; William 
D. (3) married first, Campbell, and second, Garnett; 
leaving children: May (4) married Dr. P. Gresham; 
Marian (4) married Dr. Brown Evans; and Her- 
bert (4); Robert (3) married Dew, was colonel of 
militia and a lawyer; Henry (3) M. D., died in Essex, 
leaving several children. 



The Greshams are an old family with many branches. 
Samuel Gresham lived near Upper King and Queen 
Church and left an impress through his children, Sam- 
uel S., John N., Benjamin, Oscar, and Albert. Samuel 
married Motley, and second, Goode. John married 
Hannah E. Bagby. A daughter of these last became 
Mrs. H. R. Pollard; another, Mrs. R. N. Pollard; a 
third, Mrs. Dr. E. E. Butler. Their children cast a 
halo upon their memory. Rev. Edward Gresham was 
a distant relative. He was a man of virtue and intelli- 
gence; married Isabella Mann, and left sons and daugh- 
ters: Hon. Walter Gresham, M. C, of Galveston, 
Texas; Dr. P. Gresham of Fort Worth, whose widow 
survives with several highly reputable sons and daugh- 
ters; Mrs. Dr. Haile, Mrs. Tyler, whose son Walter 
is an attorney. Wm. D. was a brother of Edward, 
married Garnett, and second, Campbell. Thomas Gres- 
ham, an attorney of Tappahannock, the father of Ed- 



340 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

ward, William D., Sylvanus, and Colonel T. Robert, 
was a man of ability and lucrative practice. He was a 
brother of Samuel Gresham of Newtown, Thomas R. 
Gresham and Sylvanus were men of high character, — 
the former a county official, father of Rev. G. T. Gres- 
ham, Richard, and Jeff. Sylvanus married Miss Caw- 

thorne, an admirable woman. Their sons were, , 

Calvin, of Texas, and John Amos, on the Pacific 
coast. — [Editor.] 



HARWOOD FAMILY 

This family seems to be of Saxon origin, tracing back 
to the time of William the Conqueror. Coat of Arms, 
a shield with a head of antlers surmounting. Robert 
and Thomas were sheriffs in London about 1630. H. 
in America, 1619. William, chief of " Martin's 
Hundred," Warwick County, Va., 1620. Colonel 
Archibald Roane Harwood, born 1761, married Faun- 
tleroy. The Colonel was in the War of 18 12 and in- 
herited Newington. Children: Samuel F., Margaret 
married Winder, Sarah, Priscilla, Thomas Moore 
(went to Texas), Martha C. married Bird, Archibald 
Roane, Lucy married McPheters, Maria S., Emily G. 

A HANDSOME TABLET OF HARWOODS 
(By order of Court.) 

(i) " Christopher H., died 1744. 

(2) His son, Captain William H., bom I734> died 
1773, married Priscilla Pendleton. 

(3) His son, Major Christopher H., died 1793, 
married Margaret Roane of Newington. 

(4) His son. Captain Archibald Roane H., born 
1786, died 1837; married Martha Fauntleroy of Holly 
Hill. War of 18 12; Senate of Virginia. 

(5) His sons: 

I . Samuel Fauntleroy H. of Newington, born 1 8 1 7 ; 
married Betty Brokenborough. Senate of Virginia; and 
Vestryman.* 

* See biographical sketch above. 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 34-1 

2. Major Thomas M. Harwood of Newington, 
born 1827, died at Gonzales, Texas, 1900; married 
Cordelia Brown. Willis' Battalion, Waul's Texas Le- 
gion, C. S. A. Special Judge Supreme Court of Texas, 
1886. Regent University of Texas 1 872-1 895. Rul- 
ing Elder 1877-1900." 



HENLEY FAMILY 

Rev. Thomas M. Henley (first generation in King 
and Queen) was born in Williamsburg. Early in life 
he became impressed in regard to religion. His par- 
ents were Episcopalians, but upon investigation he con- 
cluded that immersion alone was baptism and decided 
to become a Baptist. His father, Leonard Henley, 
earnestly opposed his connecting himself with the- Bap- 
tists, who were then a despised sect, and threatened 
that if he did so he would disinherit him, but in spite 
of this opposition and threat Mr. Henley did what his 
conscience dictated, and he was baptized and united 
with the Baptist Church. He then left Williamsburg 
and settled in Tappahannock and started a coach- 
making business, but soon began to preach. He mar- 
ried first a Miss Yates, the granddaughter of Bishop 
Yates of the Episcopal Church; by that marriage he 
had three children : Dr. Leonard Henley of Essex, 
Mary, and Robert Y, Dr. Leonard Henley had some 
five or six children, viz., T. M., Sally, and others whose 
names are unknown. Mary married first, Billups and 
had two children, Hugh and Sally; and then married 
Kemp and had one child, a daughter. Robert Y. Hen- 
ley married first, Caroline Campbell, the daughter of 
Alexander Campbell, by whom he had two children. 
Dr. Thomas M. Henley and Caroline; then he married 
Mrs. Maria Louisa Woolfolk, the widow of John 
Woolfolk of Shepherd's Hill, Caroline County, whose 
maiden name was Magruder, by whom he had two 
chikiren, Dr. Robert Y. Henley, who married Dora 
Walker; and Louisa, who never married. The elder 
son. Dr. T. M. Henley, married Priscilla Bagby and 
left four children, viz. Roberta Lee, Lou F., Caroline, 



342 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

and Winnie. Roberta Lee has never married; Lou 

married Richard Barclay; Carrie married — 

Sturgis, and Winnie married A. Sidney Fitch. 

After the death of his first wife, Miss Yates, Rev. 
Thomas M. Henley married Betty Temple, and had 
two children, Joseph T. and Dr. Samuel Straughan 
Henley. Joseph T. married Betty T. Walker, daugh- 
ter of Betsy W. Todd and Temple Walker, and had 
eight children, viz, Virginia T., Bernard W., Charles 
T., Josie M., William T., Hunter H., Fannie Ellen, 
and Betty T., all living in 1904. Virginia married Mel- 
ville Walker, and has three children, Bessie, Henley W., 
and Alice. B. W. married Estelle (Booth) Welsh, and 
has one child, Booth. Charles T. has three children. 
Fannie E. has four children. Temple, Samuel, John, and 
Emily. Hunter has four children. William Todd mar- 
ried Lizzie Hoskins, daughter of John T. and Hannah 
Hoskins, and has four children, Elizabeth, Joseph T., 
John Hoskins, and William Todd, Jr. Hunter mar- 
ried Miss Loulie Ray of Florida. Fannie E. married 
Samuel P. Waddill. 

Rev. Thomas M. Henley, Sr., was, in consequence of 
his becoming a Baptist, disinherited by his father. It 
is worthy of note that in after years most of his father's 
family and their descendants became members of the 
Christian Church, of which church Thomas M. Henley 
became a member and preacher, after being for many 
years a preacher in the Baptist Church. Late in life 
he removed from Essex to Hillborough, King and 
Queen, which had been given to his wife by her brother, 
William Temple, of Rose Mount. This estate was 
afterwards owned by his son, Joseph T., and now by 
the latter's son, William Todd Henley. 

Dr. Samuel Straughan Henley, the second son by his 
last marriage, married Roblnette Pendleton, daughter 
of P. B. Pendleton. They left six children, viz. 
Thomas B., Mary Straughan, Rebecca P., Columbia, 
William, and Pattle. Thomas B. married Fannie Dew. 

Mary married Carter. Rebecca married R. 

S. Dew. Willie married Willis Eastwood. Columbia 
and Pattie never married. 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 343 
HILL FAMILY AND HOMES 

BY C. H. R. 

Colonel Humphrey Hill, son of Thomas and Edith 
(Bell) Hill, of London, England, was born in 1706, 
and was a " blue coat " boy of Christ Church Hospital 
school, where the record of his matriculation is still 
preserved. He settled first at Hobbe's Hold (now 
Tappahannock) as a tobacco factor. He married 
Frances, daughter of Robert and Hannah (Gregory) 
Baylor, and built " Hillsborough," where he died and 
was buried in 1775. His children were (i) Ann, who 
married Isaac Dabney; (2) Frances, who married Bay- 
lor Walker; (3) Mary, who married Joseph Temple; 
(4) Baylor, who married Mary, daughter of Colonel 
George Brooke of " Mantapike," and became captain 
in the Continental Line and mayor of Norfolk; (5) 
John, who married Mary Elliott and resided at " May- 
fair," King William County; (6) Robert, who was high 
sheriff of the county, and married Hannah, daughter of 
Samuel Garlick of " Mt. Pleasant," King William 
County, the immigrant; (7) William, who married 
Betsy Baylor and resided at " Smithfield " ; (8) Ed- 
ward, who married Fannie Brooke Baylor and fell heir 
to the homestead; (9) Elizabeth, who married Samuel 
Garlick, Jr., of "Beudley"; and (10) Humphrey. 

Robert (6) and Hannah (Garlick) Hill lived at 
" Huckleberry Hall," now " Roseville," near Bruing- 
ton. He was one of the County Committee of Safety 
during the Revolution. Their children were Humphrey 
of " Mt. Airy," Caroline County, who married first, 
Mary Garlick, and second, Betsy Minor; Richard of 
" Ashfield," near Richmond, who married first, Nancy 
Hill, and second, Molly Govan; Edward Garlick, who 
married first, Nancy Garlick, and second, Mary Hart; 
Mary, who married Owen Gwathmey of King William 
County; John, who married Mary Waller Lewis of 
Spottsylvania County; Harry, of " Mt. Gideon," Caro- 
line County, who married first, Sally Woolfolk, and 
second, Mrs. Hickman, and third, Jane Burruss; Sam- 
uel, who married Miss Lewis and moved to Kentucky; 



344 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

Robert Baylor, who lived at " The Vineyard " and 
married first, Martha Fleming, daughter of Harry 
and Elizabeth (Herndon) Gaines ot " Providence," 
and second, Catharine Pollard, daughter of Robert and 
Martha Pollard of King William County; Esther, who 
married Captain Roderick Starling of King William 
County; and Camm, who died young. Robert Baylor 
and Martha Fleming (Gaines) Hill of "The Vine- 
yard " had one child, Catharine Gaines, who married 
Samuel Peachey Ryland of " Norwood." The child of 
the second marriage was Martha Ann, who married 
first, James Butler, and second. Colonel Alexander 
Fleet of " Melville." 

Edward (8) and Fannie Brooke (Baylor) Hill of 
"Hillsborough" had the following children: Mary, 
who married Robert, son of John Hill of " Mayfair," 
King William County; Fannie, who married Johnson of 
King William County; Fannie, who married John, son 
of John Hill of "Mayfair" ; Nancy, first wife of Richard 
Hill of " Ashfield," Henrico County; Charles, who 
moved to Mississippi; Brooke, who moved to Ken- 
tucky; John, William, and Patsy, who all died unmar- 
ried. 



HUTCHINSON FAMILY 

Charles Hutchinson ( i ) married Miss Lyne 

J. D. Hutchinson (2) married Miss Haile, daughter 
of Captain Haile of Essex. 

Charles (2) married , moved 

to Missouri (I think), became a distinguished lawyer, 
and was the author of a standard legal work, 

Martha (2) married Joseph L. Pollard of King and 
Queen. 

J. D. Hutchinson (2) was a man of education and 
a prominent citizen; conducted a classical school for 
years at his residence, Liberty Hall, on the line of 
King and Queen and Essex near Indian Neck. He had 
a reputation as surveyor of lands and was the draftsman 
of very many deeds and wills. Liberty Hall was orig- 
inally the property of the Garnetts, descended to Miss 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 345 

Mary Susan Garnett, who married Benjamin F. Dew, 
and was sold by them to said Hutchinson. He left five 
sons, Edward L., Robert, William, J. D., Jr., and 
Charles (who is a dentist), — all active, prosperous citi- 
zens; and three daughters, Nancy, Mary, and Sally B. 

Edward L. Hutchinson (3) married Miss Mary 
Motley, daughter of Richard Motley of Essex. 

Robert (3) married Miss Clarkson, a daughter of 
John H. Clarkson of Essex. 

J. D., Jr., (3) married Miss Lizzie Sizer, a daugh- 
ter of Dr. William Sizer of King William County, and 
a granddaughter of Mr. Edward C. Hill of the same 
county. 

LYNE FAMILY 

Elizabeth Lyne (2), the daughter of William Lyne 
( I ) , married Jesse Carter, who was rector of Drysdale 
Parish (See Bishop Meade's book). They had issue, 
one daughter, Lucy Lyne Carter (3), married John 
Jameson Garrett; by whom Lucy Carter Garrett (4) 
(born July 8, 18 16, died February 6, 1850), married 
A. G, Dunbar Roy (born 1804; died November 23, 
1874): 

Janet Carter Roy (5) (born February 14, 1838), 
married, December 29, 1857, Dr. William Hoskins 
(died June 14, 1895) : 

Elizabeth Lyne Hoskins (6) (born February 24, 
1868), married, December 11, 1889, Andrew Jackson 
Montague (born October 3, 1863). 

POLLARD FAMILY 

To the Editor of the Argus: 

Dear Sir: The following is so remarkable an In- 
stance of longevity, in a family consisting of five sisters 
and one brother, now living, that I am Induced to send 
it to you for publication in your useful paper. 

The account is taken from the Bible now in the fam- 
ily, recorded In the handwriting of the late venerable 
Judge Pendleton, who at his death, which happened on 
the 26th of October, 1803, in his eighty-third year, was 



346 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

attending his duty as president of the Supreme Court 
of Appeals in Richmond, Virginia: 

"Sarah Pollard, born the 4th of May, 1725, was 
married June 20th, 1743, to Judge Pendleton. She is 
now in her ninetieth year." 

"Anne Pollard, born the 22nd of February, 1732. 
She is now in her 83rd year" — married a Mr. Taylor 
and was the mother of Colonel John Taylor, of Caro- 
line, the great statesman. 

"Elizabeth Pollard (now Meriwether), born Oc- 
tober, 1736, is now in her seventy-sixth year." These 
three ladies live under one roof — keep no housekeeper — 
families entire. 

"Thomas Pollard, born September 30th, 1741, is 
nearly 73." He rode on horseback from Kentucky a 
year or two ago, and means to return shortly. 

" Milly Pollard, now married to Colonel Edmund 
Pendleton, was born the 12th of May, 1747, and is 
now in her 68th year," and lives within two miles of her 
sisters. 

" Jane Pollard, now the wife of Thomas Under- 
wood, was born the 26th of May, 1744, and is in her 
71st year," living in Hanover. 

" Joseph Pollard, the father of the above, died De- 
cember 26th, 1791, nearly 91." 

" Priscilla Pollard, the mother, died July 26th, 1795, 
over 91." 

John Pollard, Jr. 

By John Pollard, Sr., 1870. 

A chart of the Pollard family so far as I have any 
historical account of them, and more particularly my 
branch of the family: 

My great-grandfather, Joseph Pollard, was born, so 
far as I can ascertain, in the County of King and Queen 
and raised his family there. In 1754, when 67 years of 
age, as I have been informed by my father, he moved 
to the County of Goochland, — consequently* he must 
have been born about the year 1687. He married Miss 
Priscilla Hoomes, of Caroline County, and had nine 
children, two sons and seven daughters. 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 347 

Of the daughters I shall speak first. 

1. One married a Mr. Watklns and left no issue. 

2. Another married, first, a Mr. Dandridge, and 
afterwards a Mr. Underwood, and left no issue. 

3. Another married Mr. Edmund Pendleton, of 
Caroline, a distinguished lawyer, who afterwards be- 
came judge of the Court of Appeals of Virginia, and 
was president of the Court for many years, and died 
holding that position. They left no issue. 

4. Another married a Mr. Taylor of Caroline, and 
had an only son, John Taylor, of Caroline, who was a 
colonel in the Revolution of 1776, became a distin- 
guished politician, was a member of the United States 
Senate, and was the author of several political works. 
He was one of the most successful farmers in his day 
and made a large fortune. He, I think, had four sons, 
two of whom died during the lifetime of their father. 
William P., one of the sons, was once a member of 
Congress, died during the Civil War, without issue, 
leaving his fortune, which he inherited from his father, 
to two nephews; George Taylor, the youngest of the 
four sons, lives (now 1870) in King William County. 

5. Another married a Mr. Meriwether, who left 
a number of children, all of whom moved South, ex- 
cept one, who married a Mr. Wilson of Richmond, 
Virginia, and has a grandson residing there named 
James Winston, who is now, 1870, secretary and treas- 
urer of the R. F. & P. R. R. Co., and a very worthy 
man. 

6. Another married a Mr. Rogers of Spottsylvania 
County. She left two children, a son and a daughter. 
Thomas, the son, was raised a clerk in Hanover office 
under my uncles, William and Thomas Pollard, and 
afterwards moved to the State of Kentucky and mar- 
ried at quite an advanced age (being upwards of sixty) , 

and left an only daughter, who married a Mr. > — , 

a Presbyterian clergyman, and who lives near Bowl- 
ing Green, Kentucky. He obtained a large amount of 
property by her. The daughter married a Mr. Under- 
wood, of Goochland County, and had several children, 
among whom are two sons, Joseph and Warner, who 



348 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

moved to Kentucky under the auspices of their uncle, 
William Rogers. They are both distinguished lawyers. 
Joseph was first made judge of one of the State Courts 
of Kentucky; resigned his seat upon the bench and 
served one term as United States Senator. 

Warner has represented his district in Congress of 
the United States. They both reside now, 1870, in 
Bowling Green, Kentucky, and have large and inter- 
esting families. 

7. The youngest, whose name, I think, was Pris- 
cilla, married Colonel Edmund Pendleton, of Caroline, 
nephew of Judge Edmund Pendleton. They left quite 
a numerous family. One of the sons became clerk of 
Caroline County; one of the daughters married a Mr. 
Turner of Caroline County; the others I have lost 
sight of. Thomas, one of the sons, resided for many 
years in Spottsylvania County, raised his family there 
and then moved to Kentucky. I know one of his sons, 
Joseph, who married a Miss Thornton of Caroline. 
He was a lawyer by profession. He moved to Ken- 
tucky and carried his family with him. One of his sons, 
Peter Thornton, returned to Virginia, and married a 
Miss Fauntleroy of this county (King and Queen). He 
has two daughters here. One married a Mr. Roy and 
the other is still single. The other branches of this 
family I know nothing of, but suppose they are scat- 
tered through the West. 

Peter Thornton Pollard [elder son of Joseph Pol- 
lard], and his wife are both dead. William, the other 
son, who settled in Hanover County, was my grand- 
father. He married a Miss Anderson of Hanover. 
He was appointed clerk of Hanover in early life and 
held the office until his death. He left ten children, five 
sons and five daughters. Of the daughters first: 

( I ) Elizabeth, the oldest, married Mr. Bernard 
Todd, of Charlotte County, Virginia, who for several 
years represented that county in the Virginia Legisla- 
ture. He afterwards embraced religion and became a 
Baptist preacher. They had children, five sons and two 
daughters. 

I. Thomas, who married a Mrs. Gamett, resided 



KING AND QLTEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 349 

in the County of King William and died there. He 
was a magistrate in his county and noted for his piety. 

2. William was a Baptist minister of great useful- 
ness; succeeded his uncle, Mr. Robert Pollard, as clerk 
of the District and Superior Courts of King and Queen 
County. He was four times married, but left no 
issue living at the time of his death. He had an only 
grandson living when he died, who married a Miss 
Boyd of King and Queen, and died leaving four or five 
children. 

1. Bartlett married a Miss Epps of Nottoway; died 
in Petersburg, Va., and left a numljer of children. One 
of his sons, Bernard, lives now, 1870, in Baltimore. 
One of the daughters married Augustus Robins of 
Gloucester County. The others I know but little of, 
except Kate, who lives with her brother, Bernard, in 
Baltimore. 

4. Joseph lived in Prince Edward; married there 
and left a family there. 

5. Garland moved to the West, and, I think, died 
in Cincinnati, Ohio. 

1. Mary, the oldest daughter, married a man by 
the name of Buster and moved to the County of Kana- 
wha; he represented the county in the Virginia Legis- 
lature; they both died in Kanawha, and I know nothing 
of their posterity, but suppose they are in that region. 

2. Betsy married Temple Walker, and left two 
children, Betty and Bernard. Betty married Joseph T. 
Henley, and Bernard (Dr. Walker) resides near Stev- 
ensville. 

(2) Mary married John Austin of Hanover, and 
left no Issue. 

(3) Priscilla married a Mr. Martin, of King and 
Queen, and left an only daughter, who married Walker 
Hawes of King William. 

(4) Susanna married Robert Kelso of Prince Ed- 
ward, and died leaving two children : Mary, who mar- 
ried a Dr. Merry, and Robert, who, now — 1870 — lives 
at Fancy Farm, Bedford County, Virginia. 

(5) Jane never married. 

(i) Joseph Pollard, my father (the oldest of the 



350 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

brothers), married Miss Catherine Robertson of Han- 
over, and left four sons, — Edmund, William, John, and 
Joseph. Edmund, William, and Joseph died without 
issue. I married Miss Juliet Jeffries of King and 
Queen. We have several children, four sons and three 
daughters. 

(2) William succeeded his father as clerk of Han- 
over; was twice married; left three children, one son, 
George William, who resided in Hanover; and two 
daughters, Mary, who married John Daracott; and 
Elizabeth, who married Dr. Joseph Sheppard of Han- 
over. 

(3) Robert became clerk of the District and County 
Court of King and Queen; married a Miss Harwood 
and left four children, one son and three daughters: 
Maria married Dr. Jacob D. Wacker; Elizabeth, or 
Betty, married first, Thomas C. Hoomes, and after- 
wards Colonel A. Fleet of King and Queen. Priscilla 
died unmarried. Robert succeeded his father as Clerk 
of the County Court of King and Queen, and married 
a Miss Harwood, a cousin of his, but had no issue. 

(4) Benjamin lived and died at the old family resi- 
dence in Hanover; was once Clerk of the District Court 
of Appeals of Accomac and Northampton Counties; 
married a Miss Winston and left three children, one 
son and two daughters, all of whom are now dead. 
The son married a Miss Winston; was Clerk of the 
Circuit Court of Hanover County at the time of his 
death. Anna, the oldest daughter, married Dr. William 
S. Pryor, and Catherine married Samuel Overton; both 
of them are now dead. 

William graduated at Hampden-Sidney College; was 
a Presbyterian minister for more than twenty years; 
afterwards united himself with the Baptist Church, and 
died a minister in that church. 

(5) Thomas, the fifth son, married a Miss Whit- 
lock; was for many years deputy to his brother, William, 
who was Clerk of Hanover and was the first Clerk of 
the Superior Court of Hanover, and continued so until 
the time of his death. He left two sons and four daugh- 
ters: 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 351 

Benjamin now resides in Richmond, and was for many 
years Clerk of the Circuit Court of Richmond. 

Thomas now resides near Richmond, and is a phy- 
sician of some distinction. He graduated in Paris and 
has twice visited Europe. 

Mary married Henry Temple and left an only 
daughter, now the wife of Mr. Thomas of Richmond. 

Fanny Bacon is now the wife of Robert Kelso of 
Fancy Farm. 

Martha Rebecca married a Mr. Winston of Han- 
over, who moved to the West. She is now a widow 
and lives in Louisville, Kentucky. 

Sarah is now the wife of Mr. William C. Winston 
of Hanover. 



Robert Pollard, Sr., was likely a descendant of the 
Robert Pollard whose name will be found among the 
early settlers; at any rate he was a brother of the dis- 
tinguished Miss Priscilla Pollard, and is found clerk 
of the courts about 1803. He was succeeded in office 
by his son Robert, Jr., who married Harwood. (In 
1803-5 we find in the office as deputy William Todd, 
who was afterwards a noted Baptist minister.) About 
18 18 there came into the office young John Pollard, 
born in Goochland County. He was a youth of indomi- 
table courage and high intelligence, educated and re- 
fined, and full of life. He married Juliet Jeffries, 
daughter of Major Thomas Jeffries, and sister of the 
late Judge Jeffries of the circuit court; and became the 
father of several of the first men of the county. The 
wife was one of the finest women, gentle, kindly, at- 
tractive, and a wise mother. She most happily blended 
the suaviter in viodo with the fortiter in re. Her sons 
above referred to are Professor Thomas, John, D. D., 
James and Henry R., attorneys, and Robert N. Pol- 
lard; all now living except Thomas and James. The 
daughters are Mrs. P. T. Woodward, Mrs. S. J. Bagby, 
and Mrs. S. C. Davies. Thornton Pollard of lower 
King and Queen was a near relative. The Pollards 
are all of King and Queen ancestry. — [Editor.] 



352 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

FAMILY OF C. W. PORTER 

C. W. Porter, son of Samson and Catherine Porter, 
who came to King and Queen in 1853, married Bettie 
Cook December nth, 1854. His mother was a 
Miss Neusom. His grandfather was William Por- 
ter and his grandmother, Mary Porter, was a Miss 
Sandy. C. W. Porter was sheriff of King and Queen 
from 1865 to 1 87 1 and treasurer from 1871 to 1903. 
Children: Pendleton Cook Porter, C. W. Porter, Jr., 
William Franklin Porter (dead), Lizzie Lee married 
Brown, Mary F. married Vaughan, Gertrude married 
Drain, Lena P. married Bentley, Laura W. married 
Deshazo. 

PURKS FAMILY 

(i) William Purks married Mary Carlton (a sis- 
ter of Benoni Carlton), and second, Deshazo; died 
about 1837. 

(2) Dr. William (Green County, Ga.) 

(2) Mary married T. W. Fogg: (3) Clay mar- 
ried Eubank, (3) Sarah married Tarrant, (3) Joseph 
W. married , and others. 

(2) Benjamin A. married Smith: (3) Emma 
Hill, (3) Anne Fillmore married W. C. Adams: (4) 
Benjamin Alexander, (4) Anne F., (4) Mattie B., (4) 
Grace F. 

(2) Cornelius. 

(2) Alexander. 

(2) John (migrated). 

RICHIE FAMILY 

In reply to " A Descendant," the Richmond Times- 
Dispatch of October 28th, 1906, gives the following 
summary on " Richie " : 

Archibald Richie is supposed to have been the first 
to emigrate from Scotland, and settled in Essex County, 
Virginia, previous to 1750, for we find he was a justice 
for that county in that year; he was engaged in mer- 
chandising on the Rappahannock River, Essex County, 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 353 

with his brother, Samuel Richie, from 1761 to 1791. 
The family were all from Scotland, and they were 
doubtless the sons of James Richie, of James Richie & 
Company, who were merchants of Glasgow, Scotland, 
from 1767 to 1773. Robert Richie settled in Fred- 
ericksburg, where he died March 17th, 1790; he had a 
sister living there, Eleanora Richie; they were children 
of Archibald. George Richie, who was born in Fife- 
shire, Scotland, April 9th, 1792, also came over, and 
died October 30th, 1835. George Richie and his wife, 

Mary , had two sons, William and William 

D. Richie, and one daughter, Georgianna Richie. 

On tombstones in old St. John's churchyard the fol- 
lowing names are found : 

James Richie, died September 14th, 1838, at 24 
years of age. His wife was Christina. They had 
children : 

James Richie, Jr., died at one year old. 

William Richie, born July 22d, 1800. 

Thomas Richie, died May 9th, 18 12. 

This Thomas Richie, known familiarly as " Baldy " 
Richie, married Thomas Roane's sister, and was father 
of Thomas Richie (always called " Tom Richie "), the 
great writer and author, who contolled the old Rich- 
mond Examiner and Enquirer, for so many years the 
most powerful Democratic organ in the South. Mr. 
Richie first took the old Examiner after the death of 
Meriwether Jones, its owner; later he changed its name 
to Examiner and Enquirer, having also bought in the 
latter paper. For forty years his trenchant pen was 
a terror and affliction to the Whig party, and so influ- 
ential was it that Mr. Jefferson himself would turn and 
say after one of his decisions, " I wonder what Tom 
Richie will say to that." 

Mr. Richie married a daughter of Mr. Foushee, the 
first mayor of Richmond, for whom Foushee Street was 
named, being then the limit of the corporation on the 
west. The children of Mr. Thomas Richie and Miss 
Foushee were: 

1. George Harrison Richie. 

2. Thomas Richie, Jr., who unfortunately killed, in 



354 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

a duel, John Hampden Pleasants, editor of the Rich- 
mon JVhig. 

3. Isabella Richie, married Benjamin Harrison, of 
Lower Brandon, James River. 

4. Charlotte Richie, married a GIttings of Balti- 
more, Md. 

5. Virginia Richie, never married. 

6. Margaret Richie, married Dr. Stern of Wash- 
ington, D. C., who was President Lincoln's family phy- 
sician. 

All of the above are burled In Hollywood, Richmond. 
The male line having run out makes the name extinct In 
Virginia. 

ROANE FAMILY 

First branch: (i) Charles; (2) Curtis, married 
Adams; (2) Allen, married Collier; (2) Frank, mar- 
ried Roane; (2) Charles, married Mitchell; (2) Elli- 
ott, married White; (2) Lilly and Sue, married Acree; 
(2) Spencer; (2) Warner, married Bland; (2) Joshua, 
married Newbill; (3) Rev. Hamilton; (3) Curtis, mar- 
ried Anderson; (3) Lemuel, married Bland and then 
Anderson; (3) Whitfield, married Bland; (3) Schuff, 
married Hart; (3) Emily, married Guthrie; (3) Irene, 
married Elliott; (3) Richard, married Bowden; (3) 
Luther, married Fary; (3) Charles, married two 
Roanes; (3) Allen; (3) Lucy, married Fary; (3) 
Upshur, married Roane and then Kemp; (3) Hays. 

Second branch: (i) Schuyler, married Newcomb; 

( 1 ) James, married Clayton. 

(i) Schuyler; (2) John; (2) Austin; (2) Ruker, 
married Anderson; (2) Maria, married Bland; (2) In- 
dia and also (2) GInny, married Roane; (2) Sue, mar- 
ried Broaddus; (2) Betty, married Bowden. 

(i) James; (2) James; (2) Richard, married Hud- 
son; (2) Walton; (2) Corinna, married Callis; (2) 
Emma, married Newcomb; (2) Lula, married Sutton; 

(2) Blanche, married Douglass; (2) Ella. 

ROY FAMILY 
Thomas Roy settled Port Royal, Caroline County, in 




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KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 355 

1744, and built the first storehouse in that place. Mar- 
ried Miss Judith Beverly of Port Royal; issue, Captain 
Beverly Roy, born about 1760; died 1820. 

Captain Beverly Roy married first, July 26th, 1784, 
Miss Anne Corrie, of Liverpool, England; issue: Kitty 
Tyler, born May 6th, 1789; John Corrie, born October 
9th, 1785; Jane Wiley Beverly, bom March 13th, 
1793; Julia Anne, born March 6th, 1795. 

Anne (Corrie) Roy, died 1800, and Captain Beverly 
Roy married second, in 1801, Janet Dickey Byrd, 
widow of Robert Byrd, Poplar Grove, King and Queen 
County; issue. Dr. Beverly Roy, born 1802, and Dr. 
Augustus Gustavus Dunbar Roy, born Nov. 12, 1804. 
Captain Roy is said to have left home without the con- 
sent of his parents, joined the Revolutionary Army, 
which he entered as ensign in 1777; was promoted to 
lieutenant and later to captain, and served to the close 
of the war (Heitman's Historical Register). On his 
return home his face was covered with beard and his 
home people failed to recognize the youth that had left 
them. He was a charter member of the Society of the 
Cincinnati. 

Dr. Beverly Roy married first, Miss Abrahms; issue 
Jennie and Willie; married second, widow Clopton, 
nee Ritchie. 

Annie Roy married Captain Robert Spencer; issue, 
William Roy, Sue, and Loulie. 

Dr. Augustus Gustavus Dunbar Roy married Lucy 
Carter Garnett, March 6, 1834, Stock Hill, Essex 
County, Va., by Rev. Richard Claybrook; issue, John 
Beverly Roy, born January, 1835, at Bowlers, Essex 
County, Va. ; Gustavus Garnett Roy, born June 8th, 
1836; Janet Carter, born February 14th, 1838, Ash- 
dale, Essex County, Va.; Robert Boyd, born Nov. 17th, 
1839; Rosalie Brooke, born Feb. 9th, 1840; Charles 
Carter, born May 7th, 1844; Lucy Augustine, born June 
26th, 1848. 

Janet Carter Roy married Dr. William Hoskins; 
issue, Lucy Byrd Hoskins, born November 19th, 1858; 
Willard Dunbar, born September 2nd, i860; Rosa 
Brooke, born October 27th, 1862; Charles Roy, born 



356 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

Sept. 14th, 1865; Elizabeth Lyne, born February 24th, 
1869; May and Blanche (twins), born January 5th, 
1870;. Dunbar, born March 26th, 1876; Robert Roy, 
born September 4, 1877; Horace Faulkner, born De- 
cember 3rd, 1880. 

Elizabeth Lyne Hoskins married Andrew Jackson 
Montague, December nth, 1889; issue, Matilda Gay, 
born June 27th, 1891; Janet Roy, born October 24th, 
1895; Robert Latane, born 2nd April, 1896. 



THE RYLAND FAMILY AND HOMES 

The progenitor of the Ryland family in King and 
Queen was Joseph Ryland (son of Thomas and Mary 
Ryland of " Beasley Cottage," England), who came to 
America about 1741 and settled on a farm now called 
" Hollywood " in Essex County near " Ryland's 
Branch." His first wife was Mary Dudley; the second, 
Elizabeth Ferguson, daughter of John and Sarah Fer- 
guson of Essex County. The children by the second 
marriage were Josiah, Joseph, and Joanna. Joseph and 
Joanna moved to Kentucky, and Josiah lived first near 
Upper King and Queen Church and later at " Farming- 
ton." Josiah Ryland's first wife was Ann Semple, sis- 
ter of Robert Baylor Semple, D. D. The only child 
of this marriage was William Semple Ryland of " Rose- 
ville," King William County. Josiah Ryland's second 
wife was Catharine Peachey, daughter of Samuel 
Peachey and Catherine Webb, daughter of John 
Webb), all of Essex County. The children by this 
union were (i) Samuel Peachey, (2) Robert, (3) 
Elizabeth Ferguson, (4) Martha Jane, (5) Joseph, 
and (6) John Newton. 

I. Samuel Peachey Ryland married Catharine 
Gaines Hill, daughter of Robert Baylor and Martha 
Fleming (Gaines) Hill of "The Vineyard," and lived 
at " Norwood." Their children were Robert Hill, 
M. D., of Bayou Sara, La.; Josiah, of Richmond; Eliz- 
abeth Herndon, who married Augustus Sizer of King 
William County; Martha Fleming, Charles Hill, D. D.; 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 357 

Mary Peachey, who married Thomas N. Walker of 
" Woodville " ; Virginia Southwood, wife of James B. 
Winston of Richmond; Juha, first wife of Thomas N. 
Walker; Samuel Peachey of Baltimore, Thomas Miller, 
and Leah, wife of E. F. Acree of Danville, Va. 

2. Robert Ryland, A. M., D. D., was the first pres- 
ident of Richmond College, Richmond, Va. 

3. Elizabeth Ferguson married Thomas Hite Wil- 
lis of Jefferson County, West Virginia. 

4. Martha Jane married Captain James Robert 
Fleet of "Goshen"; their children were: Catharine 
Peachey, William C. of Arkansas, Elizabeth, who mar- 
ried John W. Garlick, M. D., of Richmond; Martha, 
who married George B. Steel, D. D. S., of Richmond; 
Lucy Ella, who married John Bagby, M. D.; James 
Robert of King and Queen, and J. Ryland of Ash- 
land, Va. 

5. Joseph Ryland, whose home was " Marlboro," 
married Priscilla Courtney Bagby, daughter of John 
Bagby of " Stevensville." Their children were: John 
William, minister, Middlesex County; Josiah, Second 
Auditor of Virginia, Richmond; Susan, who married 
John A. Fleet of "Walkerton"; Mary, who married 
A. Murdock of "Marlboro"; Nannie, who married 
Christopher B. Fleet of Richmond; Alice Peachey of 
Baltimore, James and Joseph of King and Queen 
County, Priscilla, who married Judson R. Land of 
King and Queen; Ida, who married George Haynes of 
Richmond; Edwin of Arkansas, Hugh and Harry Lee 
of Florida. 

6. John Newton Ryland of " Farmington " mar- 
ried first Anna Maria, daughter of Colonel R. M. Gar- 
nett of " Spring Farm; " their children were Jeannette 
Garnett, who married Joseph H. Gwathmey of King 
William County, and John N., Jr., of " Ingleside." 
His second wife was Lavinia, daughter of John D. G. 
Brow^n; their children were Isabel, who married Thomas 
Newton Walker of " Woodville," Georgia; Brown and 
Mosby of Lynchburg, Evelyn, Thomas H. of New 
York, Annie L., and Catharine Peachy. 

C. H. R. 



358 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

SEMPLE FAMILY 

The Semple Family came from Scotland — originally 
De Sempill — A. d. 1249. 

Janet, John of King and Queen, James of New Kent, 
George, Elizabeth — all of generation ( i ) . 

John ( I ) emigrated and located in King and Queen 
1752, m. Elizabeth Walker in 1761 ; John Walker (2) 
m. Lowry; Robertson (2) d. in Kentucky 1820; Eliz- 
abeth Baylor (2) m. Anderson, Md., Josiah Ryland 
1798; James (2) m. Sarah Harwood, d. 1806; Robert 
Baylor, D. D,, (2) b. Jan. 20, 1769, m. Ann Lowry 
1793, d. Dec. 25, 1 83 1, pastor of Bruington 39 years, 
president of Triennial Convention. 

Robert Baylor Semple, D. D., (2) ; John Walker 
(3), James (3) of Kentucky, m. Elizabeth Garlick, d. 
1866; Robert Baylor (3) m. Buckner, d. 1853; Mar- 
tha (3) ; William Morris (3) ; Sarah Fleet (3) ; Lucy 
Ann (3), b. 1823, m. Dr. C. B. Fleet, and 2d W. F. 
Broaddus 1853; James (3) ; John Robert (4) ; Samuel 
Pierce (4) ; Elizabeth Garlick (4) ; William Muscoe 
(4) ; Ann Lowry (4) ; Mary M. (4) ; Mildred C. (4) 
Samuel Allen (4) ; Lucy B. (4). 

John Walker (2); Elizabeth B. (3); James (3) 
Francis (3); John Walker (3); Robert (3); Isaac 
Robertson (3) ; Charles Donald (3) ; Lucy Baylor (3) 
Adeline Matilda (3). 

TODD FAMILY 

BY DR. B. H. WALKER 

Early in the eighteenth century William Todd came 
to this country and settled first at Toddsbury, in Glou- 
cester County. Then the family came to King and 
Queen County and settled at Toddsbury, near Dunkirk. 
They owned a very large landed estate. That William 
Todd died, leaving, under the law of primogeniture, 
all his landed estate to his son, William Todd. He left 
two daughters, Elizabeth Payne, who married Samuel 
G. Fauntleroy, and another, who married a Mr. Ma- 
con. After the death of his first wife, S. G. Fauntleroy 
married her cousin, Miss Lowry, the daughter of Colo- 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 359 

nel Lowry of Caroline County. By his first marriage 
he had three sons and one daughter: Dr. S. G. Faunt- 
leroy, Jr., Dr. Moore Gardner, William, and Betsy, 
who married P. T. Pollard. By his second marriage 
he had one son and three daughters: Thomas W. L., 
Martha, who married Colonel Archie Harwood; Lucy, 
who married James Govan, and Susan, who married 
first Nutall and then Toler. 

Bernard Todd, another member of the family, was 
either a brother or nephew of William Todd 2d. He 
married Betsy Pollard, daughter of William Pollard 
of Hanover. He left six sons, Christopher, Thomas, 
William, Bartlett, Joseph, and Garland; and two 
daughters, Mary and Betsy Waring. Christopher 
moved to Tennessee, where he died at the ripe age of 
more than ninety years, leaving a large family. Thomas 
married Eliza Pendleton, the daughter of Col. Henry 
Pendleton of Newtown, King and Queen County, whose 
wife was a Miss Peachey. He left three daughters, 
Ellen, Frances Ann, and Mary Peachey. Ellen married 
Dr. John M. Garnett and left no children. Frances 
Ann married Thomas W. L. Fauntleroy and left only 
two children, Garnett, who was killed at Sharpsburg, 
and Peachey, who married her cousin. Captain Virginius 
Fauntleroy, the son of William Fauntleroy. Mary 
Peachey married Dr. George William Pollard of Han- 
over, and lived and died at Williamsville in the old Pol- 
lard home. She left five children: Ellen, who married 
Mr. Converse and is still living in Louisville, Ky. ; Ber- 
nard, who was killed in the Civil War; Mary Peachey, 
who never married; Harry, who lives in Louisville, and 
George William, who lives in Hanover County. 

Rev. William Todd, son of Bernard Todd, left three 
children: Eliza, who died young; Maria, who married 
A. W. Robbins of Gloucester, and died leaving one 
son. Colonel W. T. Robbins, who lived in Richmond 
and died a short time ago; and Dr. William B. Todd, 
who died leaving one son. Captain M. P. Todd. Rob- 
ert B. Todd, son of Captain M. P. Todd, married Ellen 
Garlick, daughter of Dr. Joseph Garlick. Sue Todd, 
daughter of R. B. Todd, married Dr. E. J. Moseley. 



360 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

Colonel Bartlett P. Todd lived In Petersburg and mar- 
ried a Miss Epps. He left four sons, Bernard, Joseph, 
Thomas, and William; and four daughters, Elizabeth, 
Kate, Virginia, and Susan. 

Mary, daughter of Bernard Todd (as above), mar- 
ried Buster and left one child. Betsy Waring Todd 
married Walker of King and Queen County, and left 
two children, Bettie, who married Mr. Joe Henley, and 
Dr. Bernard H. Walker, who now lives in Norfolk. 

WALKER FAMILY 

V 

BY B. H. WALKER 

Colonel Thomas Walker, an emigrant from Eng- 
land, settled in Gloucester between 1625 and 1650. 
Colonel Thomas Walker (2) also lived in Gloucester. 
He was a member of the House of Burgesses in 1662. 
Colonel Thomas Walker (3) obtained a royal grant 
for land on the Mattapony River, and removing to King 
and Queen, he founded the village of Walkerton, and 
erected there a large manufacturing and grist mill, cot- 
ton gin and press, cooper shop, store, etc. The land 
grant extended from London Swamp above Canterbury 
Farm, belonging to the Gwathmeys, to Mantapike 
Swamp, giving a river front of ten miles, and running 
back some two miles. Colonel Walker (3) erected a 
home on the first rise from the river near Walkerton, 
and built also an Indian blockhouse of brick, with holes 
for musketry, to protect the people from Indian raids. 
His first house was burned, and a similar one was built 
immediately on the river, which was also burned. Both 
of these were large, square houses, with four rooms on 
a floor, and large halls running through from front to 
rear, just like the houses at Hlllsboro, Rickahoc, Man- 
tua, Mantapike, etc. He was also a member of the 
Burgesses and was accustomed to take his family with 
him to Williamsburg. His daughter, Mary Peachey 
(4), married Dr. Gilmer of Williamsburg, who after- 
wards moved to Albemarle and was the progenitor of 
the Gilmer family of that county. 

Thomas Walker (3) left three children. The eldest, 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 361 

John (4), inherited the landed estate and retained 
the family home. ' His second son, Dr. Thomas 
Walker (4) , removed to Albemarle and became a large 
land-owner; he was the first white man to enter the State 
of Kentucky. He married first a Mrs. Meriwether, 
and then a Miss Thornton, her sister. They were 
cousins of General Washington. Dr. Walker was 
guardian of Thomas Jefferson. He was employed by 
the general government to make treaties with the In- 
dians, and served for years. A daughter (or grand- 
daughter) married William C. Rives. His home was 
Castle Hill, afterwards owned by Mr. Rives, and still 
in possession of that family. The family was counted 
wealthy. He gave his daughter, Mary Peachey (5), at 
her marriage £5000. The oldest son of Thomas 
Walker (3) married Miss Baylor, and died leaving 
several children. The eldest, Baylor Walker (5), re- 
mained on the old estate near Walkerton. The other 
children were given estates in the Valley of Virginia. 
His daughter Elizabeth (5) married Henry Fleet, who 
was the father of Captain William Fleet and grand- 
father of Dr. C. B. Fleet, Colonel A. Fleet, and Dr. 
Benjamin Fleet of King and Queen, The other, Susan- 
nah (5), married Semple, and became the mother of 
Dr. R. B. Semple. 

Baylor Walker married Miss Hill, the daughter of 
Colonel Humphrey Hill of Hillsborough. His son was 
Major Humphrey Hill Walker, who represented the 
county in the legislature many years, and died in Rich- 
mond in 1820, while a member of the legislature. In 
the notice of his death in the family Bible, it is stated 
that he was a member of " The Assembly." The night 
the old theater was burned, December 25, 181 1, he, 
with another member of the Assembly, started to the 
theater, but called at the room of another member, who 
persuaded them to remain until he could make some hot 
whisky punch. The result was they did not go at all. 
(Who says whisky does no good?) 

Major Humphrey Walker left four sons, John, Bay- 
lor, Temple, Robert, and Volney, and three daughters, 
Mary Hill, Frances, and Sukey. John, Baylor, Tem- 



362 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

pie, and Volney, and their sisters, Mary and Frances, 
married and left families. Temple Walker was a jus- 
tice many years, also high sheriff in i844-'45. He was 
married four times: first, Mary Hill, daughter of Col- 
onel John Hill of King William; second, Lucy Talia- 
ferro of King William; third, Betsy W. Todd; and 
fourth, Jane Cluverius. He was the father of sixteen 
children. 

[To give the account of Dr. Walker in full, we ap- 
pend this from him] : 

" The Walker family came from the county of Glou- 
cester, after they had obtained a grant from the king of 
ten miles river front, on Mattapony, and ten miles 
back into the forest. They made their residence at 
" Hold," as it was called — Rye Field — just below 
Walkerton. This place was built up by Colonel 
Thomas Walker, and was called after him, ' Walker- 
ton.' They established here a large flour mill, and a 
gin and cotton press, a store, and a ferry. (A bridge 
spans the river at this point at present.) Near by their 
home at ' Hold ' they built a blockhouse as a resort 
from Indians. A part of the grant is still owned by 
the Walkers, — the old home. Locust Grove, by Melville 
Walker, and another by A. C. Walker, a justice [of the 
peace]. Mr. John Walker, a descendant, lived at Chat- 
ham Hill, and owned the mill and surroundings. He 
was the father of Watson and Melville, and had two 
brothers, Volney and Temple. Volney had three sons, 

W. H., Benjamin, and . Temple Walker had 

two sons. Dr. B. H. and A. C, as above." 

THOMAS WALKER 

V BY MRS. R. H. LAND 

My father, Thomas Walker, was the eldest son of 
Philip Walker of King and Queen. Jn early life, his 
father's circumstances being meager, he was thrown in 
a large measure on his own resources. Much of his 
time was spent in farm work, but whenever possible he 
attended such schools as the country afforded at that 
period, and having a keen relish for study, he acquired 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 363 

an education that secured for him the position of assist- 
ant teacher in a school taught by the Rev. R. B. Temple. 
In course of time he found himself in the Valley of Vir- 
ginia, employed for four years as tutor in the family of 
Mr. Carven Willis of Jefferson County. Later on he 
returned to his native county, and entered into a part- 
nership in the mercantile business with Mr. John Bagby, 
one having a store in Ayletts, King William County, 
and the other in Stevensville, King and Queen, and thus 
was established between them a lifelong friendship. 
Early in the last century he married Joanna Mann, and 
they were the parents of ten children, only four of 
whom lived to be grown, and only two, T. N. Walker 
of Richmond, Va., and Mrs. A. W. Land of Baltimore, 
Md., are now living. My mother, whose parents died 
in infancy, was raised by her grandmother, Mrs. Smith, 
uee Susan Pollard, related to the Pollards of King Wil- 
liam and King and Queen. She lived to the venerable 
age of seventy-two. Both she and her husband sleep in 
the family burying ground in King and Queen. 

WARE FAMILY 

From an old court record rescued from old papers 
found at Williamsburg when it was the capital of the 
State and the Supreme Court held its sessions there, I 
find Robert Spencer Ware files his age August nth, 
1789, "under age" (June nth, 1791, he is "twenty- 
one years of age "), in an old suit brought for himself, 
his sister, Lydia, and his infant brother, Spencer Ware. 
These children are the orphans of Spencer Ware and 
Miss Digges, married about 1769: Robert Spencer 
Ware, born 1770; Lydia Ware, born 1772; Spencer 
Ware, born 1774, died 1804 (Spencer Ware, Sr., died 
1777) . From this paper we also learn that Lydia Ware 
married Robert Garrett of King and Queen, about 
1796. Their daughter, Elizabeth Garrett (born 1802, 
died 1867), married Bird Hoskins (born 1800, died 
1 841). William Hoskins married Janet Carter Roy, 
December 29th, 1857. 



CHAPTER XVIII 

FRAGMENTS 

Acree — E. Smith Acree (married Fox), a merchant 
at Walkerton (Turner & Acree), an estimable citizen. 
Father of Edward F. of Danville, A. C, Rev. R. R., 
Lucian, and James, 

Bates, Sr. — Lived two miles north of Newtown. 
Sons: James T., Meredith, Dr. William, Kit, Robert, 
Dr. Thomas J. (married Lumpkin.) 

Boiihvare. — William B. ("Lord"), son of Lee B. 
Leroy, born one mile above Newtown. Richardson 
Lumpkin married Amanda, daughter of Lee B., sister 
of William B. 

Carlton, Alfred, was one of a numerous family, and 
himself left numerous children — Granville, Motley, 
Alfred, Jr., Frazer, Mrs. Oliver, Mrs. Corr, and Mrs. 
Vaughan. 

Carlton, Cornelius H. and Walter R., were men of 
culture and great moral worth, who lived and died a 
mile or two below Cumnor. 

Carlton, George K., was for years a merchant, kept 
Carlton's store, married Gaines. He left an interesting 
family — Milton, Mrs. Fox, Mrs. Powers, Mrs. Dr. 
Jackson, and Mrs. Steger. 

Cook. — Benjamin Pendleton Cook came, a young 
man, into the county from Gloucester; m. Emeline 
Bagby. 

Cosby. — Leland C. came from King William and 
lived for many years at Bruington. A most excellent 
Christian man. Children : Joseph, James, Mrs. Wright, 
Mrs. Pemberton, Mrs. Harper. 

Coiincill. — Colonel J. C. Councill (married Smith) 
came from the vicinity of Portsmouth, attended Fleet- 
wood Academy under Mr. White, taught there and at 
Virginia Military Institute; afterwards established 

364 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 365 

Aberdeen Academy; colonel C. S. A.; an invaluable citi- 
zen. Children: Mrs. Rudolph, M. Brook, George, 
Mrs. Pierce, Mrs. Gregory, Mrs. Dr. Gregory. 

Courtney. — Captain Robert Courtney was a nephew 
of Rev. John of Richmond, and son of Robert, Sr. ; 
Captain Courtney was a soldier of the War of 1812, 
and a man of sterling worth. Robert, Jr., was the 
father of Mrs. John Bagby, Mrs. William Campbell, 
Sr,, Mrs. Captain Haynes. Captain Courtney was for 
years a justice — his influence powerful. 

Dr. R. H. Cox, a noted physician at Centreville, after- 
wards West Point. He was a gentleman of high char- 
acter; married Saunders. Represented the county in 
Virginia Legislature and member of Virginia Conven- 
tion of '61. Children: Toug., Mrs. Brooks, Mrs. Dr. 
Smith. 

Deiv. — Captain Billy D., of Dewsvllle, a neighbor 
of John Kidd. Sons: Dr. William, Prof. Thomas R., 
John, Franklin of Newtown, and Calvin. Judge John 
D. Is son of Franklin, 

Diggs. — Rev. Isaac Diggs left an impress for good 
upon all who knew him. Children: Dudley, Mrs. Hart, 
Mrs, Allen, Mrs. T. Jeffries, and Isaac, Jr., a promi- 
nent attorney of Richmond. Elder Digges' memory Is 
precious to many. 

Dudley. — Alexander Dudley was a noted lawyer, ac- 
tive, strong, and public-spirited. He originated and 
built the railroad from Richmond to West Point, and 
became Its first president. His sons are: Robert, mar- 
ried Hosklns; Harry, married Roy; Alexander, Jr.; and 
William R,, married Spencer. 

Eubank. — Philip Eubank was one of the best men of 
his day, His sons, who rise up to do him credit are: 
William, Archie, Benjamin, and Robert. 

Fauntleroy. — Three brothers fleeing from France set- 
tled in the Northern Neck, — John, Samuel G., and 
Moore, — and these have transmitted their names to 
their descendants. John seems to have inspired the In- 
dians around him with mortal terror, probably by the 
prowess of his arm. 

Gwathniey. — Temple G. (married . and 



366 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

Walker) , was a cousin of Dr. William and R. T. 
Gwathmey, father of Charles B., Alfred, Llewellyn, and 
Archie. 

Hayties. — Captain Thomas Haynes, justice, was one 
of the best of citizens. John R. Haynes was a mechanic, 
living in Exol Swamp ; married two Bagbys. Sons : 
Cornelius, George A., and Andrew L. and John R., Jr., 
all of Richmond except Cornelius. 

Henley, Joseph, was father of Rev. R. Y., a most 
excellent man and minister; of Dr. S. S. and Joseph, 
Jr.; grandfather of T. B. Henly, Esq., of Newport 
News. 

Henshazv, Chauey, lived near Newtown. Children : 
Jane, married Kit Bates; Virginia, married Broaddus; 
Bob, Lucy Ann, and Thomas E. (supervisor), 

Kidd. — John Kidd, Sr., lived near Munday's bridge. 
Children: John, Mary (Bagby), Elizabeth (Motley 
and Bagby), John, Jr., the father of John B. Kidd. 

Latane. — Came from Essex. Harry, Sr., was a man 
of splendid character. His son. Dr. Thomas (married 
Hale and Robins), has endeared himself to the people 
in all his section. He is now venerable with age, but 
seems never to grow old. Children : Dr. Robert, Harry, 
Jr., of Buchanan, Dr. Thomas, Jr., Mrs. Joe Ryland, 
Lizzie, Blanche, Mary P., and Annie. 

Governor Lumpkin's family, of Georgia, was from 
King and Queen; also the family of Alexander H. Ste- 
phens, for whom Stevensville is named. 

Motley. — John Motley lived below Carlton's Store; 
father of John and Dr. M. of Richmond County, Mrs. 

B. T. Taylor, Mrs. Dickinson, Mrs. Major Saunders. 
Nunn. — These were old citizens. One of them was 

a constituent member of Bruington Church. George 

C. was a man of fine integrity and wealth. He left 
two sons. Captain John R., C. S. A., of Berryville, and 
Dr. (also Captain) W. C, of West Point; Mrs. J. S. 
Purcell, Mrs. Cawthorn. William S. and Henry Nunn 
were brothers of George C, and leave numerous de- 
scendants. 

Pendleton, Colonel, of King and Queen, had three 
daughters: first married Colonel R. M. Garnett; second 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 367 

married Thomas Todd; third married Claiborne. The 
third daughter afterwards married Gatewood, and then 
William Dew. Colonel Pendleton, I think, had a sister 
who married a Gatewood, father of a Joe Gate- 
wood, who died at Milan; also of two daughters, one 
of whom married John Dew of Plain Dealing; the sec- 
ond married Christopher Baylor. The first James Pen- 
dleton was an unkind husband, and his brothers-in-law, 
Hugh Campbell, William Mann, William Harrison, 
and perhaps Captain Thomas Dew, went to his house 
at night and gave him a severe whipping, which act in- 
volved them in serious trouble. William, George, and 
Robert Ware Pendleton were sons ( ?) of William P., 
who lived and died at Pleasant Grove. They had one 
sister, who married Dr. John Duval. 

Capt. James Pendleton was an officer in the war of 
the Revolution. 

Portei'. — C. W. Porter, married Cook, was one of 
the most popular men in the county. He served for 
years as county treasurer. Mr. Porter reared a large 
family: Pendleton, Charlie, Frank, who died early, but 
daughters married and survive. 

Purcell. — James Purcell was the father of Jefferson 
S. and R. B. Purcell, both now dead. 

Roane. — Hon. John Roane was M. C. His son John 
lived at Newington; in a fit of insanity killed his wife 
and his overseer. Judge Spencer Roane and William 
H, Roane have been mentioned. 

Robinson. — William Robinson, of Benville, was a 
grandson of Speaker Robinson. Issue: William C, 
Needier J., and Mary, who married Sculptor E. V. Val- 
entine. 

Saunders. — Major W. C. was a well-known citizen, 
prominent in insurance and politics. His son. Colonel 
John R. Saunders (married Miss Hoskins), attorney, 
is a member of the Governor's Staff (1904). A rising 
young man. 

Scott. — Rev. A. F. Scott impressed himself greatly 
upon the people as teacher and minister; came from 
Eastern Shore; taught at Gloucester Courthouse, Cen- 
treville, and Stevensville. Children: Francis, George 



368 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

R., Robert, Mrs. T. P. Bagby, Mrs. Watson Eubank 
of Essex. 

Smith. — Mr. James Smith married Fleet. Lived at 
Smithfield, near Clarks. Was a man of high intelli- 
gence and Christian character, an attorney much hon- 
ored, the father of Mrs. Judge Jones, Mrs. Colonel 
Councill, Miss Priscilla, Dr. Robert, Captain James 
William, C. S. A., and Colonel Thomas, C. S. A., of 
Kentucky. The conservative influence of this family is 
immeasurable. The last named is now prominent in 
educational circles. 

Street. — This is a large family living on the Dragon 
in Essex and King and Queen. Walker Street in 1850 
lived some six miles below Carlton's Store, and was the 
father of Major N. B. Street, C. S. A. Major Street 
was for years supervisor of the county. A daughter of 
Street, Sr., married W. C. Hundley, and became the 
mother of Rev. John W. Hundley and T. Hundley, a 
prominent Baptist minister. One of Mrs. Hundley's 
daughters, Augusta, married Rev. W. A. Street. John 
Thurston, a man of fine character, married a Miss 
Street. 

Miih-e, Thacker, a retired Methodist preacher, lived 
at Walkerton. He forgot the ways of peace and had 
multiplied lawsuits. 

Todd. — Thomas Todd, of Toddsbury, in King and 
Queen,* had daughters: first, Ellen, married Dr. Gar- 
nett; second, Frances, married T. W. L. Fauntleroy of 
Holly Hill; a third married Dr. George William Pol- 
lard of Hanover (of these Dr. B. H. Walker was a 
cousin) . 

Vaughan. — There came from Petersburg about 1883 
a young man named Christopher C. Vaughan. He 
came among strangers, but by indomitable courage and 
pluck won for himself a large measure of success. He 
is merchant, farmer, mechanic, and sawyer at Cumnor; 
married Miss Carlton. 

Walker. — Thomas Walker was counted one of the 
finest singers ever known in the county. The melodious 

* There was another and older Toddsbury in Gloucester. 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 369 

notes of his voice have scarcely yet died away from the 
ears of some of the old Bruington inhabitants. Chil- 
dren: Thomas N. Walker, Mrs. Land, Mrs. Gwath- 
mey, and Miss Evelina. 

White. — Oliver W. (married Lawrence and Bagby), 
was an Irishman, who came into the county about 1840, 
and opened an academy at Fleetwood. In a year or two 
he had established himself firmly in the confidence of 
the people, and his school drew from all quarters. His 
only daughter married Josiah Ryland, Jr., Second Aud- 
itor of Virginia. Mr. White's name ought to be imper- 
ishable. 

fVilliams. — An extensive family with many ramifica- 
tions. John was the father of John, Jr., and of Henry 
(at Carlton's Store). 

Wright. — This was a large family with various 
branches. Dr. John R., William G., and Moore B. 
were sons or grandsons of Dr. John Wright. 



PURKS AND OTHER FAMILIES 

BY MRS. W. C. ADAMS 

During my visit [in 1907] to King and Queen County 
it was my pleasure to visit the home of Judge Claggett 
Jones, where I was courteously treated. He and his 
wife know by tradition that their home is the location 
of my grandfather Purks' old home (Woodstock) . 

We next drove to Mr. Theodore Courtney's store and 
had an interesting talk on old families; through his 
kindness I was enabled to visit the little burial place on 
the old Campbell estate, now owned and occupied by 
Mr. John Fleet. There are the sunken shapes of three 
graves. One is my grandfather Purks', and it is almost 
positive that the other two are those of my grandmother, 
Mary Carlton Purks, and Captain Whittaker Camp- 
bell, my great-great-grandfather. He owned the place 
when Robert Courtney, Jr. (the father of Major Court- 
ney in Richmond), married there Captain Whittaker 
Campbell's youngest daughter, Sally, April 9th, 18 12. 
Captain Campbell died between i8'i2 and 18 14, about 



I 



370 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

ninety years old. Mr. Fleet remembers my grandfather, 
William Purks, and described his features to me. His 
father, Dr. Christopher B. Fleet, was his physician in 
his last illness. 

The next place adjoining is the old Carlton home. 
The place is now called Edgemont, and is owned by 
Mr. Benjamin Dew. Mr. Courtney told me that his 
sister, Virginia Courtney, married Alexander Carlton, 
and, at his death, married Lewis W. Smith. He also 
told me that Captain Robert Courtney, Sr., married 
Priscilla Campbell. 

We then went to Mr. Albert Gresham's, where I saw 
Mrs. Claggett Jones, Sr., mother of Mrs. Gresham, 
and she spoke of the school on the Purks home, where 
her favorite schoolmate was Mary Purks (Mrs. Taze- 
well Fogg, my father's only sister) . She said Benoni 
Carlton, Sr., married Miss Campbell, but she did not 
know her Christian name. (I know it was Mary 
(Polly), and she was the daughter of Captain Whitta- 
ker Campbell by his first wife.) She knew that Benoni 
Carlton, Jr., married his first cousin, Julia Ann Wood 
(first wife), who was granddaughter to Captain Whit- 
taker Campbell. 

I was then driven to Stevensville to see Mr. and Mrs. 
Joe Ryland, Jr. Mr. Ryland has a very genial way of 
receiving one, and it was worth the drive to just shake 
hands with him. Through Mrs. Ryland I located 
where the family Bible of the Carltons was last known 
to be, — in the possession of Sue. Carlton, daughter of 
Benoni Carlton, Jr. (by his first wife), who married 
Mr. Llewellyn Gwathmey of Norfolk. She died quite 
young, and her husband married Miss Hendren. Mrs. 
Ryland, who was Bettie Hugh Bagby, married first, 
Benoni Carlton the third (Little Ben he was called). 
Two of the grandsons of my great-grandfather, Benoni 
Carlton, Sr., married sisters, the Misses Bagby, daugh- 
ters of the Rev. Richard Hugh Bagby of King and 
Queen. Benoni Carlton the third married Miss Bettie 
Hugh Bagby, and Mr. Zack Carlton, now of Luna 
Landing, Ark., married Miss Emma Bagby. 

Mr. Pynes then drove me to Church Hill, about two 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 371 

miles from Walkerton, to see three old family servants, 
Parthenia Allen, Nellie Jackson, and Andrew Jackson. 

In King and Queen Court House I copied the follow- 
ing: 

"In 1835 Harris Carlton was made guardian of 
Louisa F. Campbell, William H. Campbell, Emily 
Campbell, and Peter Campbell." Harris Carlton was 
brother to Benoni Carlton, Jr. 

From a Bible owned by Mrs. S. E. Porter, Pine 
Bluff, Ark., I obtained the following: 

"Alexander Campbell married (first wife) Lucy L. 
Browne, April 24th, 1828." The second marriage of 
this Alexander Campbell is not recorded. 

" Alexander Campbell, probably a son of Captain 
Whittaker Campbell, died August ist, 1829, in his 55th 
year. 

" Sarah Campbell (nee Courtney) died August ist, 
1827, in her 57th [or 51st] year." She was first wife 
to Alexander Campbell. 

" Edward Fox and Emily P. Campbell were mar- 
ried November 30th, 18 15." 

Whittaker Campbell's descendants are numerous. 
He was a captain in the war of the Revolution. Born 
about 1727, died about 18 14. His first wife's name 
is not known. His second wife was Miss Deshazo. By 
his first wife I know of five children (and there were 
others), — William Campbell the first, Alexander Camp- 
bell, Polly or Mary Campbell, Emily Campbell, Pris- 
cilla Campbell. His children by his second wife were: 
Peter Campbell, Jack Campbell, Elizabeth or Betsy 
Campbell, Sarah or Sally Campbell. Polly married 
Benoni Carlton, Sr., Emily married Edward Fox, Pris- 
cllla married Captain Robert Courtney, Sr., Jack died 
unmarried in Mississippi, Elizabeth married James 
Wood, and second, Robert Pendleton; Sarah married 
Robert Courtney, Jr., of Richmond. Captain Whit- 
taker Campbell's daughter Priscilla and his son Will- 
iam the first form the first cousinship of William Camp- 
bell the second and his wife, at Essex, where now lives 
William Campbell the third. Captain Robert Court- 
ney married Priscilla Campbell, a sister of William 



372 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

Campbell the first. Their daughter, Priscilla Courtney, 
married her first cousin, William Campbell the second, 
who was son of William Campbell the first. So Will- 
iam the third is great-grandson to Captain Whittaker 
Campbell. 

Captain Robert Courtney's son, William P. Court- 
ney (married Martha E. Campbell) and daughter, 
Priscilla, form the first cousinship of Theodore Court- 
ney and William Campbell the third of Essex. So 
Theodore Courtney and William Campbell the third 
are first cousins and each a great-grandson of Captain 
Whittaker Campbell. 

If I am correct, Captain Whittaker Campbell is great- 
grandfather to Rev. Alfred Bagby, Theodore Courtney, 
William Campbell the third, and B. A. Purks. He is 
grandfather to Major Alfred Courtney, and great-great- 
grandfather to myself and several others. Two of his 
grandsons are Major Alfred Courtney and Mr. Mor- 
timer Courtney. 

I have never seen the name in print but once, and it 
was in a payroll of Captain Robert Courtney's company, 
at Smithfield, 1812 to 18 13. Captain Campbell was at 
that time a helpless rheumatic, in a rolling chair, 85 
years of age, and living on the Campbell home in King 
and Queen. The Marginal Remarks read : 

" The time in this Pay Roll is not sufl'icient but it is 
believed that this company was also at Norfolk, in the 
service of the United States." 

I copied it from the Virginia Militia Pay Roll, 18 12 
to 1 8 13, Virginia. Reference Shelf D 35, page 437, 
Virginia State Library, Richmond. 

The second wife of Benoni Carlton, Jr., was Miss 
Martha Hill Bagby. 

The Alexander Campbell here mentioned was no rela- 
tive of Rev. Alexander Campbell (Scotch) of the Dis- 
ciples. 

The Purks family came to this country from Wales, 
probably in 1806: the mother, two sons, William and 
James, and a daughter, Polly. These four are re- 
membered by a few persons still living (the mother 
lived to be 94 years old) . They are all buried in King 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 373 

and Queen except James, who died unmarried in Nor- 
folk. 

I know of 23 grandchildren to William Purks, Sr. 
The daughter Polly, Mrs. Prince, had three sons, who 
are all dead. 

His son. Dr. William Purks, died recently, aged over 
80; B. A. Purks is 80 [1907], and Cornelius (no chil- 
dren) is about 77. 

Dr. William Purks and family are among the most 
influential in Salome, Green County, Ga. (near At- 
lanta), where he has lived nearly a lifetime; and a life- 
time friend of his was Alexander H. Stephens, Vice- 
president of the Confederate States of America. 

One of Dr. Purks' sons is a banker, another a pro- 
fessor. 

The other son of William Purks, Sr., John, died in 
California when quite young. 



DUDLEY FAMILY 

BY GEORGE F. DUDLEY 

4043 McPherson Ave., St. Louis, Mo., Nov. 7th, 1904. 

At the request of my cotaiTi, Miss Ann Eliza George, 
of No. Ill North Third it., Richmond, Va. (now here 
present at my residencc^amed at the head of this 
paper) , I make a copy of the following names of the 
Dudley family from whom we are directly descended. 
They are taken from an official copy of the will of my 
grandfather, William Dudley, belonging to me and 
now before me and my cousin (Miss George, above 
named), at my residence. This will was made by my 
grandfather, William Dudley, of the county of King 
and Queen, m the State of Virginia, on the 7th day of 
November, 1794, and admitted to probate on Monday, 
July 1 2th, 1802, at the .courthouse of that county; the 
witnesses to the will being Thomas Metcalfe, Judith 
Shackelford, and Carter Braxton, Jr. The executors 
appointed by him in the will were his wife, Anne Dud- 
ley, executrix; his son, Henry Fleet Dudley, and Wil- 
liam Chamberlayne of New Kent County, executors. 



374. KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

The only one of the executors who appears to have qual- 
ified was his son, Henry Fleet Dudley. The order of 
the names of his family in which the will makes the be- 
quests is as follows: 

His wife, Anne Dudley; his son, Henry Fleet Dud- 
ley; his daughter, Mary Dudley; his daughter, Anne 
Pinchback Dudley; his daughter, Frances Dudley (the 
grandmother of Miss Ann Eliza George of 1 1 1 North 
Third Street, Richmond, Va., above mentioned, and 
now present at my residence, 4043 McPherson Avenue, 
November 7th, 1904, attending the World's Fair at St. 
Louis, Mo.) ; his daughter, Martha Elizabeth Dudley; 
his son, William Dudley; and his son, George Fleet 
Dudley, the father of the writer of this paper, and 
whose name I bear in full. 

It will be seen from the above list of his children that 
my grandfather had four daughters and three sons; a 
peculiar circumstance in the names of his sons is that 
two of them had Fleet for their middle name, Henry 
and George. The last survivor of his children, so far 
as I can learn, was Aunt Mary Dudley, known better as 
Polly Dudley, who never married. She died about 
1862 at the residence of her niece, Mrs. Mary Frances 
George, then the wife of Mr. Miles George, and the 
mother of Miss Ann Eliza George of Richmond, Va. 
Miss Mary (Polly) Dudley spent much time at the res- 
idence in Richmond, Va., of Mrs. Margaret Young and 
sister, old friends of the Dudley family. Mrs. Young 
told me she saw President Washington riding out the 
last time he ever left his house, her father then being an 
overseer of the General's and living on Mt. Vernon 
farm. 

The official copy of the will of my grandfather above 
referred to was made by Robert Pollard, clerk. 

The home of my grandfather, William Dudley, of 
King and Queen County, Va., was well identified by his 
establishing Dudley's Ferry, which still bears his name, 
over York River, near the junction of the two rivers 
which form the York. His brother-in-law, General 
William Chamberlayne's residence, one of the execu- 
tors named in his will, but who does not seem to have 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 375 

qualified, was historic socially at a very early period 
as the first meeting place of General Washington and 
the widow Custis, afterwards Mrs. Washington. My 
father, as he often told my mother, and his brother and 
sisters often visited his uncle. General Chamberlayne, 
and spent much time there. 1 often regret that in Octo- 
ber, 1 88 1, when I visited Mrs. Margaret Young and 
her sister. Miss Nellie Anderson, in Richmond, Va., 
they were so far advanced in age and so infirm, as they 
were dear friends of the Dudley family, and, had con- 
ditions been different with them, could have told me 
much about my relations. 

Dr. George Fleet Dudley. 



209 Grace Street, Richmond, Va., August i6th, 
1907. — I have left out of this paper a statement made 
to Cousin Ann Eliza George about the time I made the 
foregoing (from which I have taken the above copy 
this day in substance), about my granduncle, Henry 
Dudley, brother of Grandfather William Dudley, about 
his service in the Revolutionary War, — for lack of time 
to copy it. It can be seen at Cousin Eliza's residence, 
1 1 1 North Third Street, Richmond, Va. 

George Fleet Dudley. 



INTERESTING NOTES 
From Colonel B. Cameron, Stagville, N. C. 

It looks as if I can never finish the Roane chart, for 
constantly I am discovering some new line, and when 
I do this it seems like a long time to get the desired 
information. 

I wrote you about the discovery of the Richie line, 
but that the lady was at the White Sulphur Springs. I 
finally went to Washington City to see her. Then this 
week I got some information about a line in South 
Carolina. 

Then there is a line which I have not been able to 
trace, but now I think I have located by reason of an 



I 



376 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

article in last week's Issue of the Confederate Veteran. 
It gave a sketch of the life of Spencer Roane Thorp In 
California, who the article said was the great-great- 
grandson of Patrick Henry, Therefore I think he must 
be the child of Sallle Roane, the missing line. In other 
words, Chief Justice Spencer Roane married Anna 
Henry, the daughter of Patrick Henry. Their eldest 
son, William Henry Roane, was United States Senator 
from Virginia, and their youngest, Lafayette Roane, 
married and settled In Kentucky, leaving an only child, 
Sallle, whose descendants. If any, I have never been 
able to trace. I now think I have the clue, as this gen- 
tleman was born In Kentucky, and served In the Con- 
federate army. I have written to his widow, whose ad- 
dress was given In the article. When I hear from her 
I win let you know. In the meanwhile I trust I am not 
delaying your work. I received the Brockenbrough 
lines through Mr. Stanard of your city and Mrs. 
Semmes of Lexington. Also from the latter about the 
Bernards, Dykes, and HIpklns. There are two lines 
still deficient, the Garnetts and the Calstons. The for- 
mer will give me some trouble, the latter I think I will 
procure without trouble. 

I have a very nice sketch of the Roane and Ruffin 
families, written by my kinsman, Colonel Frank G. 
Ruffin, whose mother was a Richie and her mother a 
Roane. This I thought you could use as an introduc- 
tion or preface to the chart. I have sent it to a friend 
to edit, as it is in his own writing. 1/ 



REMINISCENCES OF LOWER KING AND 
QUEEN 

BY GEORGE S. SHACKELFORD 

Richard Shackelford, son of John, was born Decem- 
ber i8th, 1801, and died May, 1858. He was married 
three times. His first wife was Frances Taliaferro, 
who left two children, Frances and James W., both now 
dead. His second wife, my mother, was Mary Anne 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 377 

Thornton, daughter of Frank Thornton, of Gloucester, 
who left seven children, — all dead, except myself. His 
third wife was a widow Leigh, nee Sears, who left five 
children, three of whom are still living, — Laura, Lulie, 
and Sarah, widow of Captain James B. Pleasants of 
Richmond. 

I was born July 31st, 1834. I have four children, 
George P., R. Estelle, Eva G., and Mary T. I have 
seven grandchildren. 

There lived in the same neighborhood with my boy- 
hood home the Anderson family. Mr. Frank Ander- 
son had three sons and one daughter, all dead, leaving 
large families of children. The sons were Beverley, 
William H., and Hansford. His daughter married 
Henry Roane. There was also a Hansford Anderson, 
known as " Big Hansford," and Robert S. Anderson, 
brothers, each of whom left a family. I did not know 
their father. 

There was also another Beverley Anderson, a near 
relative of the others. He left two sons. Dr. Garry 
and Wilbur F., each of whom has two children. 

There was also a large family of Roanes in the lower 
end of the county. Charles Roane, born in 1776, had 
eight sons and two daughters: Wiley P., Ellett, Allen, 
Curtis, Charles A., S. F., Warner P., and Joshua. 
Neither of his daughters, Lillie and Sarah, left an heir, 
but each of the sons left a family. Wiley P. Roane is 
still (1903) living, and has quite a number of children. 
He is about seventy-six years old. 

Shackelford's Church was built in the early days of 
Methodism. Bishop Asbury preached there, as did the 
early preachers. The church was rebuilt in 1823. A 
new church, brick, was built just across the road in 
i856-'57, and is in good order. 

There was a Baptist church about three miles away, 
called Poroporone, which has been moved four miles 
farther up the county to the village of Centreville. 
There is an old church, of that name, three or four miles 
farther up, which was built some time before the Rev- 
olution. It was used by all denominations, but, because 
all claimed it, it was ordered to be sold, and was bought 



378 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

by Colonel Shelton, who made a deed of it to the Meth- 
odists, and it is still owned by them. 

Some time before the Old Church was sold, Mr. 
Corbin built an Episcopal church on his land, but failed 
to make a deed to them [the Episcopal society]. Mr. 
Peter S. Pollard bought the farm from Mr. Corbin, 
but there being no reservation of the church, he claimed 
it and sold the bricks to different parties. My father 
bought some of them; I know this to be a fact. 

I have given but an imperfect sketch, for I can tell 
it better than I can write it. 
Yours, 

George S. Shackelford. 

This from Col. Fleet of Culver: " Thos. Walker, 
ancestor of the distinguished Dr. Thos. Walker, and 
Riveses of Albemarle, and Gov. Thos. Walker Gilmore, 
was from K. & Q." 

Semple, John and James S., were sons of Rev. James 
Semple of England. John settled in King and Queen, 
marrying a Miss Walker. Their son, Robert B. A. Cro- 
ghan, married Lucy Clark, and their son. Major Cro- 
ghan, then a mere youth, held the fort at Sandusky 
against Gen. Proctor with a large force of Indians and 
whites. He also distinguished himself at Tippecanoe. 

Col. Anderson of Fort Sumter was a son of Col. A. 
W. S. Anderson and Sarah Marshall Clark (Taylor 
and Anderson Families). 

Capt. Thos. Dew served in the War of 1812; for a 
time he was stationed at Tappahannock, a small town 
on the banks of the Rappahannock River. There were 
efforts, and possibly repeated efforts, to effect a landing 
of British troops at that point, but they were successfully 
repulsed. 

Col. Jacob Lumpkin, who died 1708, and is repre- 
sented on his tomb as a " dux militum," was a promi- 
nent man in the early wars of the colony. The Lump- 
kin family seems to have been quite distinguished in 
the county. He is burled at Mattapony Church. 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 379 

OTHER FAMILY NAMES: 

Giles Bland, Hansford, and Drum- 

mond, three men of King and Queen, were among Berke- 
ley's martyrs, i.e., they were with Nathaniel Bacon in 
his rebellion against Berkeley, and were put to death by 
order of the latter. 

Governor Spottswood and his knights were absent 
about six weeks in their transmontane expedition. 

Speaker Robinson, of King and Queen County, was 
in the chair on the occasion when a vote of thanks was 
passed by the Assembly to Washington; when Wash- 
ington rose to reply, and hesitated in his speech, the 
Speaker said: " Sit down, Mr. Washington; your mod- 
esty is equal to your valor, and that surpasses anything 
which I can express." 

A man named Estis, living in the lower part of the 
county, was tall, square-shouldered, with long legs and 
arms — a powerful man physically. He always called 
himself in public, " Mr. Estis," and ventured largely 
upon his dignity. He had the reputation of being the 
biggest eater in the county, and was quite as fond of 
whisky as he was of Old Virginia ham. Again and 
again he got himself in trouble with the court when John 
Barleycorn got the better of him. Several times the 
Judge sent him to jail. A story was told of him, which 
T believe was true, that on one occasion at the Court- 
house he bargained with an unsophisticated man who 
brought oysters to court to sell, to give him as many 
oysters as he could eat for a quarter. The man told 
Mr. Estis to help himself, when he forthwith devoured 
all that were in his bucket and took the bucket, because, 
he said, he had not had enough. 

Fleet, Ryland, Garnett, Gaines, Hill, Bagby, Pollard, 
Courtney, Campbell, Wright, Shackelford, Shackford, 
Lumpkin, Davis, Latane, Nunn, Howerton, Dew, Boul- 
ware, Lyne, Hutchinson, Broaddus, Carlton, Evans, 
Haynes, Rice, Jones, Smith, Gresham, Walker, Taylor, 
Hoskins, Motley, Dudley, Todd, Garlick, Fauntleroy, 
Jeffries, Coxe, Porter, Garrett, Purcell, Bird, Harwood 



I 



380 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

(7), Street, Thurston, Hundley, Williams, Diggs, Hen- 
ley, Sutton, Deshays, Gwathmey, Pointer, Spencer, 
Guthrie, Scott, Tunstall, Bray, Councill, Watkins, Allen, 
Land, Anderson, Robertson, Robinson, Mann (9), 
Roane, Dew, Yarrington, Burton, House, Lipscomb, 
Cook, Hall, Brooke, etc. 



FROM BISHOP MEADE'S "OLD 
CHURCHES," ETC. 

CoRBiN Family (Vol. 2, p. 14) 

Henry Corbin settled in the parish of Stratton Major, 
King and Queen, about the year 1650. He had three 
children: Thomas, Garvin, and Henry. Henry, m. 
Bassett, was once President of the Council. Garvin 
had three sons and four daughters : Sons, Richard, of 
Laneville, m. Betty Tayloe, daughter of Col. John Tay- 
loe; John; Garvin, Jr., m. Hannah, sister of Richard. 
Henry Lee was also a member of Council. _ 

Taylor Family (Vol. 2, p. 98) 

They settled between the North (James) and York 
Rivers,' 1698. This was James Taylor. His daughter 
Mary was the mother of Judge Edmond Pendleton. 
His son John was the ancestor of Col. John Taylor, of 
Caroline. John's son, James, was the father of Francis 
Taylor, who became the wife of Ambrose Madison, 
and the grandmother of President Madison. George 
Taylor had fourteen sons, seven of whom served in the 
Revolutionary Army. James Taylor, Jr., had four 
sons: James, George, Zachary, and Erasmus. Zachary 
was the grandfather of President Taylor. James Tay- 
lor, Sr., above mentioned, was for years a resident of 
King and Queen. 

Wm. C. Rives (Vol. 2, p. 45) 
Married a Miss Walker, formerly of King and 
Queen. 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 381 

Robinson Family (Vol. i, p. 378) 

John ( I ) was of Yorkshire, England. Christopher 
(2). John (3), b. 1683; President of the Council; m. 
Beverly, a daughter of Robert Beverly. John (4) was 
Treasurer, and Speaker of Burgesses, He was a de- 
faulter to the government, but the deficit was subse- 
quently paid over to the government. Here is the epi- 
taph inscribed upon the monument to Speaker Robin- 
son: " Beneath this place lieth all that could die of the 
late worthy John Robinson, Esq., who was a represent- 
ative of the County of King and Queen, and Speaker 
to the House of Burgesses about twenty-eight years. 
With what fidelity he acted as Treasurer is well known 
to us. He was a tender husband — a solid Christian." 

On land belonging to Melville Walker, just below 
Walkerton, there are marks of an old fort. We sur- 
mise that this fort was erected by whites vs. Indians at 
an early period, but have been able to learn nothing 
definite. 

Messrs. Carter Braxton of Mantua, and John Gaines, 
neighboring lawyers, were of opposite political parties. 
Each represented his party on the stump, and many were 
the sharp thrusts given and taken. Gaines was a Whig 
and Braxton a Democrat. 

Taylor Family 

James Taylor (2d), ancestor of Gen. Zachary Tay- 
lor, the hero of Buena Vista, and afterwards President 
of the United States, was a Burgess from King and 
Queen, and was in the Spotswood (Horse Shoe) expe- 
dition across the mountains, 17 16. Married Martha 
Thompson. These were, singularly enough, great- 
grandparents of two Presidents, Madison and Taylor 
(Robinson and Taylor families, p. 234). 

Col. Richard Taylor, of the Continental Army, re- 
moved to Kentucky in 1794. When dying, he said, 
" The ship is foundering, but the cargo is saved " (p. 
255)- 



382 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

Donald Robertson was born in Scotland, Sept. 27, 
1 7 17; came to Kins: and Queen 1763; died 1783. 

" Apple Tree " P. E. Church stood on land called 
Farmington, and was probably Robertson's Church, 
This is one mile below Rosemont. Cattail Church (St. 
David's) was a mile and a half below Ayletts, in King 
William, 

We avail ourselves of the following from the pen of 
our venerable friend, Dr. B, H, Walker — himself a 
member of one of our first families; 

" Some of the best and noblest people in the world 
were natives of King and Queen, Living on the farm 
adjoining my father's was Gen. John Young, who was 
Quartermaster-General under Washington. My father 
always spoke of him as a splendid specimen of the Vir- 
ginia gentleman, independent in his words and acts, and 
for many years presiding justice in the county. He 
never married, and at his death distributed his property 
among his near kin. He had a favorite nephew, Charles 
Chilton, whom he educated and expected to make his 
heir, but the boy was restless and left his home for one 
of the South American republics fighting for independ- 
ence. When he returned his uncle was dead and his 
property given to others. Gen. Young's former home 
is now owned by his great-grandnephew, John Temple, 
Superintendent of Schools of Westwood. 

" Another prominent and noted character in the early 
'^nistory of the county was Col. Richard Corbin of Lane- 
ville. He was a large owner of lands, slaves, and 
money. People used to say, ' Rich as Dick Corbin.' 
He built the large hotel at the Court-House, which re- 
mained until the Civil War, when the Yankees burned 
it, along with the Court-House, Clerk's office, records, 
and private dwellings. There is a tradition that Col. 
Corbin was a Royalist and hid away in the subterranean 
cellar at Laneville many of the colonial archives. He 
was probably the man whom Patrick Henrv, with a 
company of soldiers, was looking for as being Treasurer 
of the Colony, to recover money for the powder de- 
stroyed by Dunmore." 

" I mention also," the Doctor continues, " Mr. Sam- 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 383 

uel Fauntleroy, who lived first at the Mount, and then 
at Holly Hill, who was the last man in the county to 
ride in a coach and four. He used to come in that style 
to Bruington Church, of which he was a member. His 
family was of French Huguenot extraction. He was 
the father of Dr. S. G. Fauntleroy, Sr., and grand- 
father of the late Dr. S. G. He was father also of 
Thomas W. L. and Dr. Moore Fauntleroy, and of Mrs. 
James Govan, Mrs. Arch. Harwood, Mrs. Thornton 
Pollard, and Mrs. Toler. Only three of his grandchil- 
dren are now living, Samuel F. Harwood, Esq., of New- 
ington, Mrs. Susan Fauntleroy, nee Govan, and Mrs. 
Virginius Fauntleroy of Holly Hill. Samuel F. mar- 
ried first. Miss Todd, daughter of William Todd of 
Toddsberry." 



CHAPTER XIX 

REPRESENTATIVES OF KING AND QUEEN IN BURGESSES, 
COMMITTEES, CONVENTIONS, ETC. 

The following extracts are from old records found in 
State Library: " Thos. Walker, b. in K. & Q., 17 15, 
able, bold and energetic, traversed mountains into Ken- 
tucky among the first. He was commissary to Brad- 
dock and present at his defeat in 1755. His son John 
lived at Castle Hill; was Aide to Washington, member 
Burgesses; U. S. Senator; d. 1809. His son Thos. a 
Captain in Revolution (9th Reg.) ; another son, Francis, 
Col. of 88th Reg. Hon. W. C. Rives married Judith, 
Francis' daughter, and owned Castle Hill. 

COMMITTEE OF SAFETY, KING AND QUEEN COUNTY 

Chosen by Freeholders Monday, Dec, 12, 1774. 

Thomas Coleman, George Lyne, Gregory Baylor, 
Richard Tunstall, Jr., Robert Hill, Gregory Smith, 
Tunstall Banks, Anderson Scott, William Richards, Wil- 
liam Todd, Henry Todd, John Bagby, George Brooke, 
Henry Lumpkin, Benjamin Pendleton, John Collins, 
Thomas Rowe, Stephen Field, William Lyne, Jos. Tem- 
ple, John Lyne, and Richard and Matthew Anderson, 
gentlemen. 

DELEGATES TO CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS 

March 20, 1775 — George Brooks, George Lyne. 
July 17, 1775 — George Brooke, George Lyne. 
Dec. I, 1775 — George Brooke. 
May 6, 1776 — George Brooke, William Lyne. 
1788 — William Fleet, Thomas Roane. 
1901-1902 — C. B. Jones. 

REPRESENTATIVES OF KING AND QUEEN COUNTY IN 
THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES 

The following record of the County Representatives 

. 384 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 385 

in the House of Delegates contains some breaks which I 
could not fill : 

178 1 — Thomas Coleman. 

1788 — Anderson Scott and Larkin Smith. "^ 

1788 — Convention, William Fleet and Thomas 
Roane. 

1789 — William Roane and Larkin Smith. 

1 79 1 — John W. Sample and Benjamin Dabney. 

1792 and 1793 — John W. Sample and Larkin Smith. 

1794 — Benjamin Dabney and Henry Young. 

(For 1800 we find Robert Pollard a Representative 
from King William.) 

1 801 — Benjamin Dabney and Larkin Smith. 

1803 — Benjamin Dabney and Larkin Smith. 

1806- — John H. Smith and Henry Gaines. 

1808 — John H. Smith and John Roane. 

1809 — Henry Gaines and Humphrey Walker. 

1 8 10 — Wiley Campbell and Humphrey Walker. 

18 12- 1 5 — Humphrey Walker and William H. 
Roane (four terms). 

1 8 17 — James G. Row and Charles Hill. 

18 18 — James G. Row and Edwin Upshaw. 

1 82 1 — Thomas G. Smith and Humphrey Walker. 

1822 — Archibald R. Harwood and Edwin Upshaw. 

1823 and 1824 — Archibald R. Harwood and Benja- 
min Pollard. 

1826 — John Mason and Benjamin Pollard. 

1827 and 1828 — Edwin Upshaw and Benjamin Pol- 
lard. 

REPRESENTATIVES IN LEGISLATURE 

1829 — John Gaines and William Armistead. 
1830 — Benjamin Pollard and 



1832 and 1833 — A. R. Harwood and . 

1834 — Benjamin Pollard and . 

1835 — John W. Robinson and Alexander Fleet. 
1836, 1838, and 1839 — David P. Wright and — 
1 840-1 842 — William B. Davis (three terms). 

1843 — John Lumpkin and . 

1844 — William B. Davis. 



386 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

1 844 and 1 846 — John Gaines and . 

1847 — David P. Wright and 



1 848-1 850 — James R. Howser (three terms). 

1846 — Carter M. Braxton (Senator). 

1 847-1 850 — Samuel F. Harwood (Senator, four 
terms ) . 

1849 — Littleberry W. Allen (Sergeant-at-Arms) . 

I find the name of James Smith of King and Queen 
on payroll for 1850 — a Senator; also those of M. R. H. 
Garnett (Essex), B. B. Douglass and H. B. Tomlin 
(King William), and Robert McCandlish (Middle- 
sex) ; also Henry A. Wise, John R. Chambliss, John 
M. Botts, Tazewell, Taylor, etc., as of the General As- 
sembly in 1850; also Andrew B. Evans (Middlesex), 
1859, King and Queen, is omitted for some years here — 
probably associated with Essex. 

1859 and 1 861 — Thomas W. Garrett (Essex and 
King and Queen) . 

1 862-1 864 — George T. Wright (Essex and King 
and Queen, three terms). 

1865 — T. J. Christian (King and Queen and King 
William). 

1869 and 1870 — J. W. Bullman. 

1872 and 1873 — John N. Gresham. 

1874 — William Hoskins. 

1876 — Richard H. Cox. 

1876 — For King William, Philip Gibson. 

1877 and 1878 — Richard H. Cox. 

1877 — King William, R. S. Ryland. 

i879_J. W. Bullman (H. D.) ; J. G. Cannon 
(Senator) . 

1880, '82, '84, '86, '88— H. R. Pollard (five terms). 

1889, 1 89 1, 1893 — James S. Jones (three terms). 

1895 and 1897 — G. C, Blaiid. 

1899 — J. W. FleetT-^ ' 

KING AND QUEEN OFFICERS, 1714 

Sheriff: John Madison. 

Coroners: George Braxton, T. Pettitt. 

Justices: John Holloway, Wm. Bird, James Taylor, 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 387 

G. Braxton, T. Pettitt, J. Madison, L. Orill, Robert 
Pollard. 

Burgesses: John Holloway, William Bird. 

County Clerk: C. C. Thacker. 

Parishes: St. Stephens and Stratton Major. 

Ministers: Ralph Bowker and John Skaife. 

1702. Ed. Portlock. 

(Historical Society Papers, Vol. II., page 7.) 

(Historical Society Papers, Vol. IV., page 381.) 

For many years prior to the Civil War, the enforce- 
ment of justice in the county was, by constitutional enact- 
ment, in the hands of the Justices of the Peace, one of 
their number being chosen as presiding justice, a given 
number constituting a court. The compensation was 
very small, there was only the honor of the position, and 
the consideration that a presiding justice, after so many 
years serving, was to succeed to the shrievalty, which 
paid very well. Such men as those whose names are 
here given served as presiding_justice from 1830 to 
iBj65, and gave luster to the office : John Lumpkin, 
Alexander Fleet, Thomas Haynes, John R. Bagby, Sam- 
uel Tunstall, Robert Courtney, Ro bert Bland . Robert 
Spencer, Johri""Polla"rd, an3~oflTers. Very many of the 
older citizens regarded this county court system as un- 
surpassed in the equitable administration of justice, and 
never ceased to regret its downfall under the " Under- 
wood Constitution " after the war. 

EXTRACTS FROM RECORDS OF KING AND QUEE.N COUNTY 

COURT 

Monday, December 5th, 1831 — ^William Browne, 
Esq., Judge (also presided April, 1832). 

James Smith and John Pollard appointed Commis- 
sioners in Chancery. 

On motion of William Todd, Clerk, Robert Pollard, 
Jr., was appointed Deputy Clerk. 

John B. Christian, Attorney for Commonwealth; 
Hugh Campbell, Sheriff. 

Tuesday, September 20th, 1832 — James Semple, 
Judge. 



388 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

Grand Jury: Temple Walker, Foreman; Thomas 
Garnett, Banks Garnett, Thomas Wyatt, Robert .Biaiidj 
Jf., Robert Courtney, Jr., Philip B. Pendleton, Josiah 
IRyland, David P. Wright, Carter B. Fog, Henry G. 
Segar, Leroy Boulware, John B. Martin, James C. Roy, 
Peter T. Pollard, Robert Ware, John Williams, Elias 
R. Wattlington, and Isaac Hillyard. 

April 25th, 1833 — Francis Row, Sheriff. 

September 21st, 1833 — ^William Todd resigned as 
Clerk; Robert Pollard, Jr., appointed Clerk. 

June nth, 1835 — A. P. Upshur, Judge; Lee Boul- 
ware, Sheriff. 

November 3d, 1835 — John B. Christian, Judge; 
James D. Halyburton, Attorney for Commonwealth. 

May 4th, 1837 — John Motley, Sheriff. 

May nth, 1839 — Thomas F. Spencer, Sheriff. 

November loth, 1841 — Joseph Pollard, Sheriff. 

May, 1843 — John Mann, Sheriff. 

November, 1844 — James M. Jeffries, Attorney for 
Commonwealth. 

May, 1845 — Temple Walker, Sheriff. 

May, 1847 — Robert Courtney, Sheriff. 

May, 1849 — John Lumpkin, Sheriff. 

November 9th, 1849 — Joseph Christian and Samuel 
F. Harwood qualified as attorneys at law. 

May, 1 85 1 — John Pollard, Sheriff. 

November, 1852 — John Tayloe Lomax, Judge. 

November, 1854 — Robert M. Davis, Sheriff. 

November, 18 157 — Richard H. Coleman, Judge. 

April, 1858— John H. Watkins, Sheriff. 

November i8th, 1859 — A meeting of Judge, mem- 
bers of Bar and officers of the Court. Robert L. Mon- 
tague announced the death of James Smith. Addresses 
also by Alex Dudley, James M. Jeffries, B. B. Douglas, 
and C. G. Griswold. 

November, 1861 — Peter D. Samuel, Sheriff. 

Militia in 1781 : Caroline, 805; King William, 436; 
King and Queen, 500; Essex, 468; Middlesex, 210; 
Gloucester, 850. 

The records show the following King and Queen 
men in the War of 18 12: 



I 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 389 

4th Reg. Va. Mil., Col. Elliot Muse, Capt. John 
Bagby, ist Lieut. John Gill, 2d Lieut. Geo. Hill, 3d 
Whit Campbell, ist Sergt. Baylor Temple, 2d Thos. 
Walker. Privates, John Didlake, Edw. Fox, Asa 
Gresham, Hart, Haskins, John Lumpkin, I. Lewis, 
Lipscomb, Nunn, Motley, Ro. Pollard, etc. 

9th Reg., Col. Wm. Boyd, Surgeons John Haskins 
and M. G. Fauntleroy, Adj. John G. Garnett, ist Sergt. 
Harris Carlton, Q. M. Sergt. Henry Bagby. 

9th Reg. Artil., Col. Boyd, 2d Lieut. Jas. Gresham, 
A. R. Harwood, T. C. Holmes, Capt. Privates, Eu- 
bank, Walden, Jeffries, Haskins, Muire, Pendleton, 
Trice, Thurston, etc. 

2 ist Reg., Capt. Wm. Harwood. 

KLNG AND QUEEN BURGESSES 

The following will be found interesting as presenting 
names of representatives from King and Queen in the 
House of Burgesses up to the Revolution. (From 
Stanard's " Colonial Virginia Register," Albany, N. Y., 
1902 :) 

March 2, 1692 — William Leigh, John Lane. 
Sept. 24, 1696 — William Leigh, Joshua Storey. 
May 13, 1702 — William Leigh, James Taylor. 
June 18, 1702 — William Leigh, James Taylor. 
March 19, 1702-3 — William Leigh, William Bird. 
April 20, 1704 — (In place of Leigh, deceased) Wil- 
liam Bird. 

April 24, 1706 — Robert Beverley. 

Nov. 7, 171 1 — John Holloway. 

Nov. 16, 1 7 14 — John Holloway, William Bird. 

April 23, 17 1 8 — John Baylor, George Braxton. 

Nov. 2, 1720 — George Braxton, Robert Beverley. 

May 9, 1722 — George Braxton, Richard Johnson. 

May 9, 1723 — George Braxton, Richard Johnson. 

May 12, 1726 — George Braxton, Richard Johnson. 

Feb. I, 1727-8 — George Braxton. 

Aug. 5, 1736 — John Robinson, Garwin Corbin. 

Nov. I, 1738 — John Robinson, Garwin Corbin. 



390 KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

May 22, 1740 — John Robinson, Garwin Corbin. 

May 6, 1742 — John Robinson, George Braxton. 

Sept, 4, 1744 — John Robinson, George Braxton. 

Feb. 20, 1745 — John Robinson, George Braxton. 

July II, 1746 — John Robinson, George Braxton. 

March 30, 1747 — John Robinson, George Braxton. 

Oct. 27, 1748 — John Robinson, George Braxton. 

April 10, 1749 — John Robinson, George Braxton. 

Feb. 5, 1752 — John Robinson, Philip Johnson. 

Nov. I, 1753 — John Robinson, Philip Johnson. 

Feb. 4, 1754 — John Robinson, Philip Johnson. 

Aug. 22, 1754 — John Robinson, Philip Johnson. 

Oct. 17, 1754 — John Robinson, Philip Johnson. 

May I, 1755 — John Robinson, Philip Johnson. 

Aug. 5, 1755 — John Robinson, Philip Johnson. 

March 25, 1756 — John Robinson, Philip Johnson. 

April 30, 1757 — John Robinson, Philip Johnson. 

March 30, 1758 — John Robinson, Philip Johnson. 

Sept. 14, 1758 — John Robinson, George Braxton. 

Nov. 9, 1758 — John Robinson, George Braxton. 

Feb. 22, 1759 — John Robinson, George Braxton. 

Nov. I, 1759 — John Robinson, George Braxton. 

March 4, 1760 — John Robinson, George Braxton. 

May 19, 1760 — John Robinson, George Braxton. 

Oct. 5, 1760 — John Robinson, George Braxton. 

March 5, 1761 — John Robinson, George Braxton. 

Nov. 3, 1 76 1 — John Robinson, George Braxton 
(died before taking seat). 

Jan, 4, 1762 — John Robinson, John Pendleton. 

March 30, 1762 — John Robinson, John Pendleton. 

Nov. 2, 1762 — John Robinson, John Pendleton. 

May 9, 1763 — John Robinson, John Pendleton. 

Jan, 12, 1764 — John Robinson, John Pendleton. 

Oct. 30, 1764 — John Robinson, John Pendleton. 

May I, 1765 — John Robinson, John Pendleton. 

Nov. 6, 1766 — John Robinson (diedduring session), 
George Brooke, and Richard Tunstall (in place of Rob- 
inson, deceased) . 

March 12, 1767 — George Brooke, Richard Tunstall. 

March 31, 1768 — George Brooks, Richard Tunstall. 

May 17, 1769 — ^William Lyne, John Tayloe Corbin. 



KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 391 

Nov. 17, 1769 — William Lyne, John Tayloe Corbin. 
May 21, 1770 — William Lyne, John Tayloe Corbin. 
July II, 1 77 1 — William Lyne, John Tayloe Corbin. 
Feb. 10, 1772 — George Brooke, John Tayloe Corbin. 
March 4, 1773 — George Brooke, John Tayloe 
Corbin. 

May 5, 1774 — George Brooke, John Tayloe Corbin. 
June I, 1775 — George Brooke, George Lyne. 



PORTRAITS IN KING AND QUEEN COURT HOUSE, OCTOBER, 

1905. 



William Lyne Wilson, 

Judge Jones, 

Judge Jeffries, 

Judge Foster, 

Clerks Pollard, 

Major N. B. Street, 

Major J. R. Bagby, 

Rev. R. B. Semple, 

Rev. William Todd, 

Speaker Robinson, -- 

Hon. Carter Braxton, 

Colonel John Pollard, 

Colonel Smith Acree, 

Colonel Alexander Dudley, 

Colonel R. B. Bland, 

Major Roderick Bland, 

Robert Courtney, 

Thomas Garnett, 

Dr. J. Muscoe Garnett, 

Judge Wright, 

Judge Thomas Ruffin, of Newing- 

ton, Court of Appeals of North 

Carolina, 
Judge Spencer Roane, Va. Court 

of Appeals, 



Captain Archibald Roane Harwood, ■ 

of Newington, 
Hon. Watt Gresham, 
Dr. Richard H. Cox, 
Dr. William Hoskins, 
Dr. B. F. Dew, 
Dr. J. N. Gresham, 
T. R. Gresham, 
Prof. T. R. Dew, 
Rev. A. Broaddus, 
Rev. Robert Ryland, 
Dr. Samuel Griffin Fauntleroy, J. P., 
Samuel Tunstall, J. P., 
James Parke Corbin, 
Colonel Robert Spencer, J. P., 
Colonel Alexander Fleet, 
William Boulware, U. S. Minister 

to Naples, 
Captain Campbell Fox, C. S. A., 
James Southgate, 
Colonel William B. Davis, 

Hutchinson, 

Author of this Book, 
David P. Wright, J. P., 
Judge John G. Dew. 



INDEX 



INDEX 



^'! ,"- 



Abingdon church, 57 
Acree, E. Smith, 364 
Act defining boundaries of King 
and Queen, 43 
dividing county of, 43, 44, 48, 50 
empowering county to buy land 

for a town, 44, 45 
establishing day for holding 
County Court, 45, 47, 49 
" Apple Tree " Churcti, 59, 70, 382 
Appomattox, 192-202 
Asbury, Bishop, 377 
Aylett, Philip, 66 
Ayletts, 66, 67 

Baptists, 93-101 

activity of, in King and Queen 
county, 99, 100; prosperity 
of, 100, lOI 
church, earliest formed in 

county, 94 
imprisonment of, 112 
ministers from King and Queen 

county, 98 
petition to Virginia convention 

(1775), 121 
progress of, 57-60 
rapid growth of, in Virginia, 

119 
repression of, by Church of 
England, 56 

Bates, , 364 

Bagby, Captain A. F., 149-152, 
154-160, 300 
Edward Benjamin, 300 
Edward, death of, 237 
family, 322-323 
George F., 117 
John, 86, 114, ir5 
Major John R., 152-154 
Rev. Richard Hugh, D. D., 64, 
65, 86, 92, 96, 116, 132-134, 
300-301 ; death of, 65 
Sarah Jane (Pollard), 319-321 
Berkeley came to Virginia, 23 
Berkeley's martyrs, 379 
"Beudley," 68 

395 



Bird family, 332-324 

Bland family, -298-299, 324-325 

John (1663), 24 

Theodore {1663), 24 
Boulware family, 295, 325-326 

William B., 364 
Boyne, Battle of, 25 
Boy's errand, a, 256-259 
Braxton, Carter, 58, 62, 73, 74, 75, 
85, 301, 381 

George, 58, 62, 76, 85, 301 

Mary, 58, 301 
Broaddus, Andrew, 113 

Andrew, Jr., 97 
Brooke, Colonel John M., 302-303 

family, 75, 303, 326 
Bruington Church, 112-117 
Burgesses, delegates, etc., 384-391 

of County {1692-1775), 389-391 
Byrd family, 326-327 

Cameron, Hon. Bennehan, 303- 

304 
Campbell, Colonel W^illiam, 304; 
encounter with West Point 
cavalryman, 131 
Carlton, Alfred, 364 
Cornelius, 364 
George K., 364 
Walter R., 364 
Caroline County, establishment of, 

46 
" Canterbury," 69 
Chamberlain fanyly, 74 
"Chatham Hill," 67 
" Chelsea," 77 
Christ church, 57 
Christmas, 269-271 
Church of England in Virginia, 

Baptists, repression of, by, 56 
cordon of churches built by, 56, 

.57. 
indiscriminate taxation of citi- 
zens for, 56 
Quakers, repression of, by, 56 
Methodists, repression of, by, 56 



396 



INDEX 



Church of England — Continued 
Presbyterians, repression of, by. 

Church houses and old homes, 56- 

Churches, modern, in county, 60 
Civil War, annals of, 127-238 
citizen's diary of, 131-137 
companies and officers from 

King and Queen, in, 130 
countersigns during, 148 
home guard in, 127-137 
outbreak of, 129 
roster of companies in, 139-147 
prices of daily necessities dur- 
ing, 159 
Clark, George Rogers, biograph/~ 
of, 35-39; brothers and sis- 
ters of, 36; first Governor 
of Missouri, 39 (footnote) ; 
genealogy of, 36-40; his de- 
fense of Kentucky, 37 ; his 
remarkable military instinct, 
39; his school teacher, 86; 
native of King and Queen, 
35, 36; nativity of, 35; 
outwits Governor Hamilton, 
38, 39; tributes to, 40, 41 
John, 36 

John C, emigrant, 36 
Jonathan, 36 

William (of the Lewis and 
Clark Expedition), 35, 39; 
Governor of Louisiana Ter- 
ritory, 39 
" Clark's," 35 

Claybrook, Richard, 115, n6 
Collins family, 327 
Colored people, the, 283-285; 
aristocracy among, 282-283 ; 
general characteristics, 277- 
282 ; see also Negro 
Committee of Safety, 384 
Companies in Civil War, 130; 

officers of, 130 
Cook, Benjamin Pendleton, 364 
Corbin family, 78, 79, 327-328, 

380 
Corr family, 328 
Cosby, Leland C, 364 
Cotton-gin, the, 264, 265 
Councill, Colonel J. C, 364 
County officers (1714), 386-387 
Court House, deeding of land for, 
81, 82 



Court records, extracts from, 387- 

388 
Courtney, Captain Robert, 59, 365 

family, 329-332 
Cox, Dr. R. H., 365 
Crittenden family, 328-329 
Cromwell, 24 

Dahlgren raid, 133-136, 183-186 
Davis, Jefferson, 223 
Delegates to constitutional con- 
ventions (1775-1902), 384 
Detroit, Fort, British at, 37 
Dew, Captain Billy D., 365 

family, 291-293 

Professor T. R., 304-305 
Dickey family, 332 
Diggs, Captain Dudley (1664), 24 

Rev. Isaac, 365 
Disciples, or Christians, the, 101- 

104 
" Dragon," 18, 28, 71 
Drydale, parish of, 60, 291 
Dudley, Alexander, 254-256 

family, 373-375 ' 
Dunmore, Governor, Council of 
(1775). 24 

Early settlers, 22 
" Eggleston," 74 
Elegy, Gray's, 58 
" Endfield," 72 
Eubank, Philip, 365 

family, 306 
Evacuation of Richmond, 202 
Exol ("The Axle"), 94 

Family and individual records 
See also Genealogies 
Bagby, Captain A. F., 300 
Dr. Richard Hugh, D. D., 300- 

301 
Edward Benjamin, 300 
Sarah Jane (Pollard), 319- 
321 
Bland family, 298-299 
Boulware family, 295 
Braxton, Carter, 301 
Brooke, Colonel John M., 302- 
303 
family, 303 
Cameron, Hon. Bennehan, 303- 

304 
Campbell, Colonel William, 304 
Dew family, 291-293 

Professor T. R., 304-305 



INDEX 



397 



Family records — Continued 
Eubank family, 306 
Fleet, Charles B., 307 
Garnett family, 293-295 
Harvvood, Colonel Archibold 

R-, 307 

Colonel Thomas Moore, 308 
Samuel Fauntleroy, 307-308 

Henry, Dr. W. S. B., 308-310 

Jones family, 310-311 

Lyne, William, 311 

Murdock family, 311-312 

Pollard, Priscilla, 318-319 

Porter family, 317-318; golden 
wedding, 317-318 

Ruffin, Judge Thomas, 312-315 
Ryland, Robert, A.INL.M.D, 315 

Scott, Rev. A. F., 315-317 
Fauntleroy family, 332-334 

John, 365 

Moore, 365 

Samuel G., 66, 365 
Fleet, Captain Henry (1634), 24 

Charles B., 307 

family, 334-335 
Free religion, Virginia's fight for, 
117-126 

Gaines family and homes, 335- 

Garlick family, 69 
Garnett family, 293-295 
family and homes, 337-338 

Gatewood , incident of, 67, 68 

Genealogies: see also Family 

RECORDS 

Acree, E. Smith, 364 

Bates , 364 

Bagby family, 322-323 
Bird family, 323-324 
Bland family, 324-325 
Boulware family, 325-326 

William B., 364 
Brooke family, 326 
>>. Byrd family, 326-327 
Carlton, Alfred, 364 
Cornelius, 364 

George K., 364 

Walter R., 364 
Collins family, 327 
Cook, Benjamin Pendleton, 364 
Corbin family, 327-328, 380 
Corr family, 328 
Cosby, Leland C, 364 
Councill, Colonel J. C., 364 



Genealogies — Continued 
Courtney, Captain Robert, 365 

family, 329-332 
Cox, Dr. R. H., 365 
Crittenden family, 328-329 
Dickey family, 332 
Diggs, Rev. Isaac, 365 
Dew, Captain Billy D., 365 
Dudley, Alexander, 365 

family, 373-375 
Eubank, Philip. 365 
Fauntleroy family, 332-334 
Fauntleroy, John, 365 

Moore, 365 

Samuel G., 365 
Fleet family, 334-335 
Gaines family and homes, 335- 

336 
Garnett family and homes, 337- 

338 
Govan family, 338 
Gresham family, 338-340 
Gwathmey, Temple G., 365-366 
Hall, Mrs. Mary, 59 
Hamilton, Governor, outwitted 

by Clark, 38, 39 
Hampton Roads, 21 
Harress, " Father " Samuel, 93 
Harwood, Colonel Archibold 

R-, 307 

Colonel Thomas Moore, 308 

family, 340-341 

Samuel Fauntleroy, 307:308 
Haynes, Captain .CFbomas, 366 
Henley, Joseph, 366 

family, 341-342 
Henshaw, Chaney, 366 
Hill family and homes, 343-344 
Hutchinson family, 344-345 
Kidd, John, 366 
Latane, Harry, 366 
Lumpkin, Colonel Jacob, 378 

Governor, 366 
Lyne family, 345 
Motley, John, 366 
Muire, Thacker, 368 
M\mn, George C, 366 

Henry, 366 
William S., 366 
Other family names, 379-380 
Pendleton, Captain J'ames, 367 

Colonel, 366, 367 
Pollard family, 345-351 
Porter, C. W., 367 
Purcell, James, 367 



398 



INDEX 



Genealogies — Continued 
Purks and other families, 369- 

373 
family, 352 
Richie family, 352-354. 375 
Rives, William C, 380 
^ Roane, Chief Justice Spencer, 
376 
family, 354, 375 
Hon. John, 367 
John, 367 

William Henry, 376 
Robinson family, 381 -- 

William, 367 
Roy family, 354-356 
Ryland family and homes, 356- 

357 , ^ 

Saunders, Major W. C, 367 

Scott, Rev. A. F., 367 

Semple family, 358, 378 

Shackelford family, 376-378 
Richard, 376 

Smith, James, 368 

Stephens, Alex. H., 366 

Street, Walker, 368 
Major, N. B., 368 

Taylor family, 380, 381 

Todd family, 358-360 
Thomas, 368 

Vaughan, Chistopher C, 368 

Walker family, 360-362 
Thomas, 362-363, 368 

Ware family, 363 

White, Oliver W., 369 

Williams, John, 369 

Wright, Dr. John, 369 
Goochland, 35 
Govan family, 338 
Gray's Elegy quoted, 58 
Gregory family, 77 

William, 74, 75 
Gresham family, 338-340 
Gwathmey, Temple G., 365-366 
Gwathmeys, 69 

Harvest, 262-263 

Henning's " Statutes at Large," 

quoted, 42-55 
Henry, Dr. W. S. B., 308-310 
Patrick, 66, 119, 121, 123, 376; 

as Governor of Virginia, 

37, 38 

Henshaw, Chaney, 366 

Hill, Colonel John, 76 
family, 72, 73, 74, 76 
family and homes, 343-344 



"Hillsborough," 72 
" Hockley Neck," 74 
Hog-killing time, 268-269 
Home guard in the Civil War, 

129-138 
How a Christian woman can die, 

320-321 
" Huntingdon," 77 
Hutchinson family, 344, 345 ~ 

Indians, census of, at Jamestown 
(1607), 20 

James II., 24 

Jamestown, census of (1607- 
1628), 20 
census of Indians at (1607), 20 
names represented at (1608-9), 

18, 19; (1620), 19 
settlers at (1625-1670), 19, 20 
Jefferson, Thomas, 85, 121; act 
for establishing religious 
freedom in Virginia, 122- 
124; in struggle for relig- 
ious freedom, 122, 123 
Jones family, 310-31 1 

Kaskaskia, capture of, 38 
Kidd, John, 366 
Kilpatrick's raid, 132 
King and Queen county, antece- 
dents of, 17, 18 

a tide-water county, 17 

academies, schools and, 27, 85- 

bees and honey m, 33 

boundaries of, 18 

burgesses, representatives, etc., 
of, 384-391 

climate of, 27 ; five years' aver- 
age, 28 

churches and old homes of, 56- 

85 

colored people of, 277-285 

distance from Washington, 
Richmond, Jamestown, and 
the Bay, 18 

early settlers of, from 1625 on- 
ward, 22 

factories, facilities for, 31 

family and individual records. 
See Family and Individ- 
ual Records and Genea- 
logies 

fisheries of, 32 

finances of, 33 



INDEX 



399 



King and Queen County — Cont'd 

game in, 33 

Genealogies of families of, see 
Genealogies 

geographical location, 17 

grasses of, 31 

health of, 27 

in Civil War, 129-240 

labor in, 32 

lands — prices and capacities in, 
29 

latitude of, 18 

legislative action concerning 
the formation of, 42-55 

longitude of, 17 

mail facilities of, 33 

minerals of, 28 

morals and churches of, 26 

origin of, 24 

origin of name of, 24 

population in decades, from 
1790 to 1900, 34 

portraits in court house of, 391 

poultry and eggs in, 31 

progress and expansion from 
Jamestown, 21 

public tobacco warehouses 
(1730), 46, 47, 50; com- 
pensation of, 46 

relative position and population, 
26 

religious denominations in, 92- 
126 

reminiscences of, 79, 376-378 

representatives in Burgesses, 
committees, convention, etc., 
384-391 _ 

resources, climate, etc., of, 26 

roads in, 33 

roster of companies in Twenty- 
sixth Virginia Infantry: 
Company C, 139-140; Com- 
pany G, 140-141 ; Com- 
pany H, 141-142; Com- 
pany I, 143 ; Company 
K, 144-146 

roster of companies in Fifth 
Virginia Cavalry: Com- 
pany E, 146-147 

schools, public and private, 27, 

85-91 
sheep and wool, production of, 

33 
staple crops of, 28 
surface and soil of, 28 
timber in, 30, 31 



King and Queen County — Cont'd 
trade in, 32 
transportation in, 30 
tobacco assessment due people 

from county, 49 
vegetables and fruits of, 29 
water in, 30 
Knights of the Horse Shoe, 65, 
379 

" Laneville," 78 

Latane, Bishop, iii, 112; resi- 
dence of, 68 
Dr. Thomas, 35 
Harry, 366 
Lee, Robert E., 129; ancestral 

home of, 18 
Lees, ancestral home of, i8 
Life on the old plantation, 260- 

276 
Lincoln, President, 129 
" Locust Grove," formerly " Rye 

Field," 70 
Lumpkin, Colonel Jacob, 58, 62 
family, 75, 76, 85 
Governor, 82, 366 
Lyne family, 345 
William, 311 

Madison, James, ancestral home 
of, 18; in struggle for re- 
ligious freedom, 125 

Manakins, 21 (footnote) 

" Mantapike," 75 

" Mantua," 73 

Manakins, 21 (footnote) 

Matoax, or Mascot, 22 

Mattapony (Lower St. Stephen's 
parish church), 60-64 
church, 57 ; records of, 64, 65 ; 
restoration of, by Baptists, 

57-59 
River, 30, 36 
McClellan, General, 129 
Meade, Bishop, 63 ; extracts from 

his " Old Churches," 380- 

Methodism, 104-112; ministers 
active in, 107 ; preachers, 
107; laymen, no, in; sta- 
tistics of, 109-112 

Methodists, repression of, by 
church of England, 56 

" Melrose," 76 

Militia in 1781, 388 



400 



INDEX 



Ministers prominent in county, 

Modern church structures, 60 
Monroe, ancestral home of, 18 
" Montville," 66 
Moores family, 77 
Motley, John, 366 
Muire, Thacker, 368 
Murdock family, 311-312 

"Necks" in, 17; neck No. 3, 18; 
northern, ancestral home of 
Washington, Madison, 
Monroe, Lees, 18 

Negro character, sundry develop- 
ment of, 271-273; women, 
work of the, 267-268 

Negroes, aristocracy among, 282- 
283 ; general characteris- 
tics, 277-282. See also 
Colored People 

" Newington," 75, 85 

" New Lights," 93 

New Kent county, 24; first ap- 
pearance of name, 42, 43 

" North Bank," 67 

Nunn, George C, 366 
Henry, 366 
William, 366 

" Old Brick " or Lower Church, 
61-44, 95, 378; first minis- 
ter, 63 ; lay delegates, 63 ; 
other ministers, 63 ; use of, 
by Baptists, 64 

" Old Church," 60, 83, 106, 109, 
290; now used by Metho- 
dists, 60 

"Old Churches" (Bishop Meade), 
extracts from, 380-383 

Old homes and church houses, 56- 

Old Mattapony church, 64 
Opecancanough, chief of Chicka- 

hominies, 22 
Other families, 369-373; see also 
Family Records and Gene- 
alogies 



V Park Church," 291 
"Parsons' Cause," 119 
Pendleton, Captain James, 367 

Colonel, 366, 367 
Piankitank, 18 



Pollard family, 345-351 

H. R, 35 

Priscilla, 318-319 

Robert, 59, 64, 66 

Robin, 67 
Portraits in County Court House, 

391 
Porter family, 317-318 

C. W., 367 
Powhatan, domain of, 21 (foot- 
note) 
Presbyterians, repression of, by 

Church of England, 56 
" Preskile," 67 
Purcell, James, 367 
Purks and other families, 352, 

369-373 
family, 352 
Plantation, life on the old, 260- 

276 
"Pleasant Hill," 77 
Pocahontas, 24; home of, 17 
Poems: 

Her portrait, 245-246 

Lines by Prof. Ryland, 246-247 

Lines on the death of Robert 

M. Tabb, 250-251 
My Birthday Wish, 243-244 
My Mother, 241-243 
The Empty Sleeve, 251-253 
The Ocean, 247-249 
To Mr. and Mrs. M. W. 
Wright on the death of 
their boy, 244-245 
When the Laurels are Bloom- 
ing, 249-250 
Pollard, Benjamin, 67 
Colonel John, 35, 59, 86 



Quakers, repression of, by Church 
of England, 56 



Railroad, Richmond and Chesa- 
peake, 30 

Records, diaries, etc., 149-191 

Religious denominations, 92-126 
freedom, winning of, 117-126 

Representatives in House of Dele- 
gates (1781-1828), 384-385 
in Legislature (1829-1899), 385- 
386 

Richmond and Chesapeake rail- 
road, 30 



INDEX 



401 



^' 



Richmond, evacuation of, 202-210; 
great day in, 275-276; 
operations from, to Appo- 
mattox, 192-203 

Richie family, 352-354, 375 

" Rickahoc," 73 

Rights, Bill of, 121 

Rives, William C, 380 

Roane family, 68, 69, 73, 85, 354, 

375, 377 

Hon. John, 367 

John, 68, 69, 76, 85, 367 

Judge Spencer, 69 
Roy family, 354-356 
Robinson, William, 367 

family, 77, 381 

John (1664), 24 
Rogers, George, 37 

Giles, 36 
Rolfe, John, 24 
Rowe family, 77 
Ruffin, Judge Thomas, 312-315 
"Rye Field" ("Locust Grove"), 

70 
Ryland family and homes, 356- 

357 
Robert, A. M., M. D., 315 



Saint Stephen's parish, 60, 61, 
290; act dividing, 46; be- 
quest to, 68, 82; sale of 
glebe lands, 46, 47, 49 
" Sandy Point," 74 
Saunders, Major W. C, 367 
Second Kilpatrick raid, 136 
Scott, Rev. A. F., 315-317, 367 
Semple family, 368, 378 
Robert, 35, 11 3-1 15 
Shackelford, 35 \ 

Shackelford family, 376-378 
Shackford, Jos. W., letter of, 103, 

104 (footnote) 
Sheridan's raid, 136 
" Shoestring Country," 290 
Skaife, Rev. John, 63 
Slavery in Virginia, 295-296 
Smith, Captain John, 17, biog- 
raphy of, 21 (footnote) ; 
explorations of, 21 
Smith, James, 368 
Southgate family, 88-91 
James, letter of, 84, 85 
So\itherland family, 77 
Spears raid, 132, 133 



Spottswood, Governor, 65, 83, 

379 

" Statutes at Large," Hennings, 
quoted, 42-55 

Stephens, Hon. Alex. H., 82, 223 

Steth, Rev. (1646), 24 

Stratton Major parish, 43, 60, 
290; empowered to sell 
glebe lands, 48 ; old parish 
church of, 79 ; register of, 

79 
Street, Major N. B., 368 
Walker, 368 

Taxation, indiscriminate, of citi- 
zens for Church of Eng- 
land, 56 
Taylor family, \'bo, 381 
Temple, Joseph, 67 71 

Sir William, 67 

Robert, 71 

William, 69 
"The Mount," f,.s 
"The New Chu'-c^" ioo 
" Tippecanoe and Tyler too," 

276 
Todd family, 65, 358-360 

Rev. William, 59, 64, 113 

Thomas, 368 

William, (i(> 

William, 2d, df, 
Toddsbury, 65 

" Todd's Meeting House," 64 
Tunstall family, 71, 72 

Varina, place of residence of 

Pocahontas and Rolfe, 24 
Vaughan, Christopher C, 368 
Virginia, Church of England in, 
56 

colony of, divided into eight 
shires, 43 

journal of trip from Detroit to, 
80, 81 

loyalty of, 24 

negroes imported to, 24 

population of, in 1609, 23; in 
1625, 23; in 1648, 23; in 
1701, 23; in 1782, 24; 
population of, in 1701, 
compared with Connecti- 
cut, Maryland, Massachu- 
setts, New York, 23, 24 

slave population of, in 1648, 23 



4,02 



INDEX 



'</" 



> 



Virginia — Continued 

slavery in, 295-296 

taxation by consent, 24 

value of a horse in, 1733, 24; 
cow and calf, 24 

Volunteers, Thirty-fourth Regi- 
ment: address historic of 
Company K, 223-238 

vote of secession, 129 

women imported to, 24; cost of, 
in tobacco, 24 

York River the boundary of, 

23 
"Virginians, The," 66 
Virginia's fight for free religion, 

117-126 
Volunteers in Civil War, roster 

of, 133-147; see also Civil 

War. 
V 'rpinJs. address historic of Cora- 

p' _ '^ 223-238 

Walkes family, 70, ^\ ^ 60-3 62 

Jsrennah, 93 

'Irionuis, 362-363, 36?; 
War of iSiz: rostei c King and 
.hiten county 9 



Washington, George, 77, 379; 
ancestral home of, 18 
Henry Edmond, 66 
Washington and Lee University, 

Ware family, 363 

Webster, Daniel> 275, 276 

West Point, 22, 30, 79, 254-256; 

Colonial Church of, 79; 

established as a port, 45 
West Point Land Company, 255 
"White Hall," 69 
White, Oliver W., 369 
Winning of religious freedom, 

117-126 
Williams, John, 369 
Williamsburg settled, 23 
Women imported to Virginia, 24; 

cost of, in tobacco, 24 
Wright, Dr. John, 369 



York, 30 

York River, dividing line in 1628, 
between red men and 
whites, 22; line re-estab- 
lished in 1646, 22 



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